Youngster Dominique Mayho blasted across the finish line in Sunday's down-town criterium race, beating all of the Island's leading senior riders to secure his first victory in the tough 'A' category race and fulfilling the predictions of former resident Graeme Millar.

Professional Millar said before leaving Bermuda that the 17-year-old cyclist had shown all the signs of becoming a top rider.

On a new course that saw the riders start on Front Street and complete a fast and technical loop around the back of the Bank of Bermuda at Albouy's Point, back to Queen Street, right onto Reid Street and then descending Burnaby Hill before turning back onto Front Street, the action was fast and furious from the start with the field strung out in single file.

The strongest riders kept the pace high to discourage any breakaway attempts and any early moves were quickly shut down as the pack continued to drive the speed up lap after lap with a number of riders losing contact at the back of the field.

With some 15 minutes remaining in the 45-minute event, the turning point came when Garth Thomson attacked off the front at the top of Reid Street, sounding alarm bells to the other teams.

Wayne Scott, winner of last week's Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race and team-mate Mark Hatherely tried to bridge the gap but Mayho was the only one able to jump across to Thomson.

The two then quickly opened up a gap working together to gain as much advantage as they could over the chasing field. With Thomson a time-trial specialist and Mayho renowned for his finishing sprint, the two managed to gain 20 seconds on the chasing pack.

On the final ascent on Reid Street, Mayho followed Thomson's wheel and when he saw his rival look over one shoulder he attacked on the other side gaining enough of an advantage to get a small gap and sprint to victory. Chris Faria won a bunch sprint for third, 18 seconds later.

In an equally competitive 'B' race, it was Randy Burgess who took the honours after outsprinting Mark Godfrey at the death.

Experience had prevailed as a number of riders tried to escape the field throughout the 30 minutes with Darren Dowling making a return to cycling, youngster and top junior triathlete Ryan Gunn, newcomer Alan Mooney and Manny Packwood just a few of those who tried to break up the field.

But the decisive move came from Godfrey, known for his aggressive style of riding, who broke clear about three laps to go and then worked tirelessly to maintain his advantage.

As he turned off Burnaby Hill he looked to have the win secured until Burgess found enough energy and extra speed to close the gap and outsprint Godfrey by half a second and take his second victory of the year.

Dennis Joell won the field sprint for third, just one second behind.

In the women's field, racing in the same event as the men, Nicole Mitchell, an 'A' category cyclistr, rode a strong race as she stayed with the lead group of men for the whole event ,finishing 12th overall.

Sarah Bonnett was the first 'B' category rider with a clear winner over Earlina Godfrey and Andrea Proctor in a fast growing women's field.

In the Junior 'A' male and female category, newcomer to road racing, Daelen Richardson, was an impressive winner over Daniel Oatley and Nico Barcley.

Gabby Arnold secured her second win of the week after her Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race victory.

The top three finishers in the Junior 'B' race were Christian Oatley, Tristan Narraway and Zion Dowling.

In the Junior 'C', Kaz Godfrey, Laura Hope and Nicholas Narraway took the honours.