Alyssa Rowse finished an impressive second on general classification at the Green Mountain Stage Race in Burlington, Vermont, last weekend.

Competing in the women’s three/four category, Rowse had several strong finishes with a third place in the Dealer.com Burlington Criterium and second in both the sprint and Queen of the Mountain competitions for an overall time of 6h 29min 58sec.

The Bicycle Works rider, still only 16, was joined by Bermudians Dominique Mayho, Deshi Smith, Kaden Hopkins, Matthew Oliveira at the gruelling competition, which featured a 5.7-mile time-trial, a circuit-based race, 65-mile road race and criterium.

Mayho, 23, racing in the Pro 1 category, returned to an event he competed in last year better prepared having spent several months racing for Belgium amateur club, Jonge Rikkers Vollezelle, this season.

His best finish came in Monday’s criterium where he completed the 50-lap race in 26th position for a general classification of 48th out of 96 participants. Hopkins and Oliveira, both 16, also turned in solid performances competing against one of the best junior fields in a United States race.

With more climbing and high-speed descending than they would ever encounter in Bermuda, Hopkins and Oliviera performed encouragingly as novices to finish fifteenth and 24th, respectively. Smith, 21, was 56th overall in the men’s category three.

Peter Dunne, the Bermuda Bicycle Association president, travelled with the team and was delighted with their performances.

“We are fortunate that we were able to create this overseas racing opportunity for three of our junior riders and to include Dominique and Deshi in the travel plans,” Dunne said.

“For Alyssa, Kaden and Matt the BBA wanted to give them a chance to race in a big event like this to increase their racing experiences and continue their development.

“Participation in this event was part of Matt’s Junior Athlete Sponsorship Award and Alyssa and Kaden were funded out of the strong support we have received from the Government through the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation.

“For me personally it is exciting to see the trio of 16-year-olds making their start in international competition.”