recorded his first major cycling victory on Sunday.

The 16-year-old sensation, who became embroiled in controversy when his National Sprint Triathlon triumph was taken away, erased most of the Island's top riders when he won the Bermuda Bicycle Association Road Race in St.

David's.

In humid conditions, Hedges completed 16 laps of the two-mile course in one hour, 21 minutes and one second, eight seconds ahead of Mike Lee and Greg Hopkins, who came across the line together.

Twenty-nine riders took part in nine categories. Technically a Junior I rider, Hedges was one of 11 who competed over the 16 laps.

That race was marred by a crash involving Whayman Butterfield, who was rushed to hospital via ambulance after catching his pedal on the ground during a sharp left turn at high speed. He escaped with only severe bruises to his shoulder and neck.

Hedges just missed a mishap of his own with two laps to go when he went off the road and struck some bushes. He managed to stay on his bike but ended up with foliage in his wheel, forcing him and Hopkins -- his team-mate -- to stop at the start of the final lap.

Hopkins, with Hedges in his draft, caught leader Mike Lee, with the youngster winning in a sprint.

In the Veterans category, Mervin Van Putten outsprinted Jim Butterfield to win the 14-lap race in 1:15:23. Shannon Stone competed the 14 laps in 1:15:29 to win the Novice division.

Another first-time winner on the weekend was Mel Bennett in Saturday's 25-minute Runway Race at the Airport.