the best in local cycling at the Southampton Princess.

The 17-year-old student, fresh from racing in the World Cycling Championships in Plouay, France, last week, beat off strong challenges from Steve Millington and Earl Godfrey to claim the Bermuda Bicycle Association Hill Climb Championship title.

The event was staged on the steep north road leading up to the hotel and Butterfield treated the spectators to a display of smooth, powerful riding as he conquered the climb in a time of 62 seconds.

Butterfield then watched as others tried to better his time. For Godfrey, a renowned sprinter over 400 metres-plus, the course is tailor-made, but he fell five seconds short with a time of 67 seconds.

Millington, who has dominated in road races and time trials this year, bettered Godfrey's time by one second to claim second place.

Vic Ball extended his unbeaten streak in the event in the veterans' category, winning in a time of 73 seconds, though he was pushed hard by BBA president Martin Bolton (75 seconds).

The 15-year-old Jean-Nicholas Bertrand won the 15-16 boys category and earned fourth place overall with a very impressive time of 68 seconds, while Jeanna Godfrey (85 seconds) was a clear winner in the women's category.

The 13-14 boys title went to Tyler Scott (74 seconds), while a tight contest in the under-10 category saw Ricky Sousa (1:44) edge out Timothy Fox (1:45).

Other category winners were Caitlin Conyers (11-12 girls), Matthew Godfrey (11-12 boys), Flora Duffy (13-14 girls), Melissa DeSilva (15-16 girls), Stuart Osborne (novices) and Maria Duffy (female veterans).

This was the final major event on the BBA road race calendar.

The mountain bike series starts in December and the annual awards dinner takes place at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club on Saturday, November 18 (tickets availabale from the Winner's Edge bike shop).

Full results, see Scoreboard Tyler Butterfield: fastest over the Southampton Princess hill.