It was a tale of a local boy made good, a dream come true for a hometown hero.

Last year Elliot Hubbard got the four days of top-level cycling off to a barnstorming start by winning the CDP Classic in front of an adoring crowd in Hamilton.

Then riding in his second full year as a pro, he came out tops in a field of world-class riders to cross the finishing line about five yards clear of the Saturn team's Frank McCormack and two seconds ahead of third-placed George Hincapie, a Tour de France veteran.

After receiving a steady stream of congratulations, Hubbard said: "It tells me that, on any given day, I can compete with the best on the circuit. It's reassuring to know that I can race with people of this quality.'' On that occasion, the field of 49 riders set off at a blistering pace which soon took its toll with locals Steve Sterritt and Whayman Butterfield dropping out.

Hubbard stuck to Hincapie's back wheel, a strategy which paid off, when, at the 28-minute mark, a pack of four riders broke away and opened up a huge lead.

Hubbard made the decisive attack going up the steep incline of Burnaby Street on the last lap. He made the most of his noted hill-climbing ability to burst past McCormack and Hincapie to claim victory.

The ultimate compliment was praise from Hincapie himself. "Elliot rode strong and caught us by surprise,'' said the American. "The guy was really motivated to be racing at home and I'm happy for him.'' But Hubbard was not so successful in his bid for the overall Grand Prix title, eventually running out 12th.

Not surprisingly it was a rider from the mighty Saturn team, Mike McCarthy, who took the honours.

McCarthy's team mates Bart Bowen, Frank McCormack and Chris Wherrey, worked diligently to protect McCarthy's leader's yellow jersey during the 90-minute final stage in Hamilton, effectively smothering the opposition.

McCarthy, a former world champion, was actually a late replacement in the team for Canadian Brian Walton.

In 1996, Hubbard took the overall Grand Prix title, when the event was dominated by him and his team at the time, Baltimore-based One Plus.

Hubbard and his team-mate Kyle Smith opened the Grand Prix with a blistering performance in what was then the first stage, the Friday night twon centre criterium.

After the second and third stages on the Saturday, the pair were still sitting in first and second positions, a full minute ahead of a five-man pack headed by England's Zak Carr.

In the 75-mile road race, it became clear that the only rider who could deny Hubbard the overall title was Smith.

But as Hubbard claimed third place behind Americans John Strain and Josh Taylor, Smith intentionally dropped back to fifth in the final sprint to ensure the hometown boy would take the honours.

Hubbard said afterwards: "If I were racing in his hometown, I'd do the same for him. It's etiquette.'' Hometown hero: Bermuda's Elliot Hubbard, on his way to winning last year's town centre criterium.

Star-studded line-up: Riders poised to make their move in the cagey contest for the third and final stage of last year's Grand Prix.