The duel to the finish between Kris Hedges and Steve Millington in this week's Heritage Day road race, and fine showings from Julia Hawley and Melanie Claude, bodes well for Bermuda's performance at the World B Championships in China, national cycling coach Greg Hopkins believes.

Along with Geri Mewitt, MacInnis Looby and Wayne Scott, the quartet will be travelling to Asia next month to represent the Island on the world stage.

Hopkins feels his riders an excellent chance of bringing some medals back from the event. Thursday's race only served to emphasise this belief.

Hedges edged Millington on the line to take the win in what is believed to be a record time of 25 minutes and 47 seconds -- the pair leaving their rivals in their wake as early as Port Royal.

Claude, meanwhile, who outsprinted Hopkins to take sixth, and Hawley, credited with 17th, recorded the same time as third placed Jonathan Herring.

Referring to the first two home, Hopkins said: "From my perspective I'm just so happy to see two of our guys on the national team that are so far ahead of everybody else.

"Those guys worked together and against each other to put in a time like that and the finish I understand was very close.

"That has to be one of the fastest (races) if not the fastest, and certainly for two riders pulling from Port Royal together, that has to be an incredible ride. It really bodes well for Bermuda and as much as anything going into the day that was what I was looking for.'' Hopkins had equal praise for Claude and Hawley.

"Melanie outsprinted me at the finish which I was happy to see because I am not going to be on the bike in China,'' he said. "Julia and her both worked extremely hard in that chase pack and didn't shelve their responsibility in pulling through. We kept it an honest race whereas in the past once a few people have gone off the front it tends to shut down. It didn't happen today, it was a good hard race right to the finish.'' The girls flew off to New York yesterday as their preparations for China hot up.

The pair travelled to Lake Placid where, riding in the Pro One and Two Category, they will tackle a tough three day event named The Cloudsplitter Classic.

Today Claude and Hawley race in the River Road Time Trial over 7.5 miles, followed tomorrow by the attractively titled Hell of the North Road Race.

That event will see the riders trek 73 miles on a course with several climbs, ranging from half a mile to three miles.

If that is not enough on Monday they tackle the fast and furious Saranac Lake Memorial Day Criterium, which is held in the downtown area and features 16 laps of a tight 1.2 mile looped course.

Hopkins said: "We chose the event because it has something of everything. The time trial the day before a tough road race is the same as in China.

"The criterium on Sunday is, I guess you could say, a bonus, although Melanie and Julia might disagree.'' Although looking for a good ride, Hopkins said the girls were not under any pressure.

"It's all part of their build-up,'' he said. "They have been racing hard the past few weeks, especially Julia who raced in Britain last week, so there are no expectations this weekend.'' Medal hopefuls: Kris Hedges crosses the line in Thursday's Heritage Day race, followed by Steve Millington in second.

Tuning up: Julia Hawley, left, and Melanie Claude, are over in the USA.

By Matt Westcott