Heritage Day Cycling Classic.

Simons won the one hour plus one lap criterium at Southside, St. David's, on Sunday in 1:03:18, one second ahead of his closest rival, Englishman Steve Millington.

Simons, who won the King of Sprint title on Front Street earlier this year, had opened up a 50-metre lead over the rest of the leading pack and relaxed close to the finishing line.

Third was Damian Wilson in 1:03:20, with Jason Krupp a second behind in fourth and Steve Sterrit fifth, a further five seconds back.

Canadian Peter Eccles placed sixth in 1:05:12, despite crashing and suffering a flat tyre half way through the race.

Wet conditions did nothing to deter nearly 40 riders who turned out for the sixth Bermuda Bicycle Association race of the season.

Some, including Sterritt and Simons, needed to take part to complete their third race and thus qualify for the big May 24 event.

Simons, 19, was delighted with another victory in a cycling season which has been severely limited by his duties with the Regiment.

"I had not raced for a month and I just wanted to gauge my performance,'' said Simons. "I expected more of a challenge from the other riders.'' As for the Heritage Day Classic, Simons was reluctant to talk up his own chances and said: "Any one of ten to 15 riders stand a chance. Greg Hopkins and Peter Eccles will be strong challengers.'' In Sunday's category three race, Nuri Latham came in first, nearly a minute ahead of second-placed Vance Stevens.

Vic Ball won the male veterans class from Richard Mason, while Jay Simons was the novice winner and Caroline Conway the top female.

Other winners were Chris Conway (male 15-16), Adam Petty (male 13-14), Geoffrey Smith (male 11-12) and Ricky Sousa (male 10 and under).