Dominique Mayho and Nicole Mitchell both credited their Commonwealth Games experiences for helping them negotiate the heavy rain in yesterday’s inaugural Presidents Cup race.

Both riders were back on the saddle for their first competitive outings since competing at this month’s Games in the time-trial and a particularly gruelling road race through the streets of Glasgow.

Admittedly the tricky conditions — made even more hazardous by the thunder and lightning — were not quite as menacing as the swirling winds and heavy downpours the pair faced in Scotland’s second largest city.

It was, however, a far tougher race than Mayho and Mitchell would have probably hoped for on their return to the Island’s roads.

“It was quite a bit warmer than Glasgow but it was still very wet,” said Mayho, who continued his dominance of the Island’s cycling scene, winning the 100-kilometre race in a time of 2hr 40min 0.832sec — a whopping 37 seconds quicker than second-placed Justin Ferreira, a junior cyclist.

“I knew the other guys would be taking it a bit easier around the corners, so that’s where I decided to really push it. It’s always hard to race in the rain and there was a pretty strong headwind coming back from Kindley Field to Dockyard that made things difficult.”

Mayho was one of Bermuda’s success stories in Glasgow, enjoying five memorable minutes occupying the hot-seats in the time-trial and outlasting several seasoned professionals in the road race.

The 20-year-old said that the experience he gained at his first major Games had further stoked his motivation as he prepares for the Caribbean Championships in Puerto Rico in October and the CAC Games in Veracruz, Mexico, the month after.

“Every time I go overseas to a big race and get my butt kicked I come back and want to train harder,” said Mayho, who was part of a seven-man breakaway before leaving the rest of his group in Southampton. The last three weeks I’ve been training really hard and it paid off today.”

Mayho said that the Presidents Cup, which recognised the contributions of the 12 presidents who have led the Bermuda Bicycle Association since its formation in 1972, had suited his style of racing.

“Today was great for me as it was about ten miles longer than any other race this season,” he said.

“The longer the race the better it is for me as that’s what I really train for. After 2½ hours of racing I start to get stronger.”

Mitchell, the top women’s finisher in yesterday’s race, said that she had taken plenty of encouragement from her showing considering she was dusting off a few cobwebs having taken a break to recuperate after the Glasgow Games.

“I felt I needed some time off after that level of focus at the Commonwealths,” said Mitchell, who finished eleventh overall in 2:45:17.202.

“Today I just wanted to go out and have fun with no expectations. I felt a lot better than expected and that was a pleasant surprise for me.

“I was also surprised by how many people came out to support the race and I’m sure there would have been more had the weather been better.”

The 31-year-old believes that her jolting experience in Glasgow, particularly the women’s road race, which she failed to finish after experiencing shifting and chain problems, had enabled her to emerge as a more accomplished rider.

“Glasgow was a good experience for me and I certainly feel as though I have a better handle on how to ride in the wet,” said Mitchell, who races in Vermont next weekend in preparation for the Caribbean Championships.

“I’d never before ridden on cobbles before and I definitely think it helped my bike-handling skills.”

About 70 riders took part in yesterday’s race, which started east along Harbour Road to St George’s and then St David’s before coming back along South Shore Road to Dockyard and then back to the finish on Harbour Road, just west of Chapel Road.

The winning trophy was presented at a post-race breakfast at the home of Peter Dunne, the present BBA president, with many of the former presidents in attendance.

Past presidents include Leopold Kuchler, Delano Ingham, David Sabir, Joey Richardson, Carlos DeSilva, Vance Stevens, Jeff Payne, Greg Hopkins, Martin Bolton, Dannielle Bezant and François Bertrand.

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