The three-man Shaklee team of Eric Wohlberg, Graeme Miller and John Lieswyn occupied the first, third and fifth places as the American-based team got off to a good start in the three-stage Conyers Dill & Pearman Bermuda Grand Prix yesterday.

The opening stage, a 9.3-mile time trial at Southside, St. David's, was won by Wohlberg, whose time of 19:13.11 was the only sub-20 minute time over the course as the early riders took a cautious approach after a brief shower dampened the roads.

Wohlberg, who was 13th in the Bermuda Classic Criterium on Thursday night, found the time trial more to his liking as he left all in his wake to take top spot. Wohlberg leads by 47 seconds over Trent Klasna of Navigators, the team of Bermudian Elliot Hubbard.

Hubbard helped keep his team in early contention, placing ninth in a time of 20.48.36 while another Navigator, Mark Walters, also finished in the top 10, placing sixth in a time of 20:24.74.

But the day clearly belonged to Shaklee who also had Graeme Miller in third place in 20:10.80 and John Lieswyn fifth in 20:16:24.

"I've got a reputation of going fast in time trials so I'm glad I ripped a good one today,'' said a delighted Wohlberg afterwards.

"There is still a lot of racing left. We came here to try to get a couple of stage wins and if we can hold onto the lead for the whole tour than that's good for us.

"We are three strong riders but it looked like a couple of `combines' working against us last (Thursday) night in that first race.'' Wohlberg credits his team-mates for helping put Shaklee in a strong position going into today's 75-mile race at the same venue and tomorrow morning for the Grand Prix in Hamilton. He accepts the other teams will be gunning for them tbis weekend.

"Every time you have the leader's jersey is like having a big bullseye on your back so there's always lots of pressure,'' said Wohlberg.

"But many times we've gotten the leader's jersey in the time trial and the team has done a good job of defending it. This is my first time to Bermuda and I'm really enjoying it.'' Despite having to settle for second place, Thursday night winner Trent Klasna, of Navigators, feels he and his team are excellently placed going into the weekend's two stage races.

"Over the last two years I have definitely gotten better at time trialling,'' said an out-of-breath Klasna after a sprint finish.

"I think I could have probably gone faster had I not gone so hard last night, but I'm happy to stay in second. I don't think I would want to be in first. It will be good for Shaklee to have to work and see what they can do as a team.

"It puts them on the defence and us on the offence. It's an awesome course, I really like it. You can get into a really good groove on the circuits. It might have been a little more dangerous had it been raining but it was a good course and went by really quick.'' Geri Mewett, riding for Bermuda, was 25th overall out of 53 riders in a time of 21:50.26, almost eight seconds ahead of Steve Millington four places back.

The Bermuda rider most pleased was Melanie Claude who continued her fine form by placing fourth amongst the 20 women who finished.

Visiting team-mates Tina Mayolo and Erin Carter of the United States were first and second in 22:38.98 and 22:57.67 respectively while Laura Van Gilder of Navigators was third in 23.08.37.

Claude was more than happy with her time of 23:11.78 which was faster than all the intermediate riders and all but the top three Masters finishers, beating Peter Eccles by just three seconds.

"I won't brag about it too much because he'll never let me ride with him again,'' Claude joked.

On a serious note she admitted she was in her best riding form ever. "I would say so, I think I'm hitting my peaking session again and with two days to go I'll see then how I'm performing overall.

"I just hope the weather will be good to us for the next two days. The conditions (today) could have been a little better as far as the roads were concerned. When we started off it was still raining, not pouring, and that makes the roads kind of tricky, so I was a little cautious -- especially on the bends.

"But then it dried up and made it a little easier. The head winds weren't too bad so that helped, but it was quite hilly which made it challenging.'' David Le Duc of the United States led home the Masters, winning by almost six-and-a-half seconds over local Jeff Payne in 22:48.45 while Kent Richardson was a further six seconds back in third place. Eccles was fourth in 23:13.74.