begin on Thursday -- passed their first test with flying colours as they filled five of the first six places in Sunday's 60 mile road race on the former St. David's baselands.

As part of their build-up to this week's racing, which clearly will present a much tougher challenge given the number of top overseas riders arriving, Sunday's result gave team manager Greg Hopkins confidence that those selected could work together.

Under the leadership of Steve Sterritt, who went on to take first place, the national team made all the right moves as other top riders tried to break up the field with attacks on the 4.5 mile loop course which included two demanding hills.

Damion Wilson and Jeff Payne were instrumental in the early miles, trying to put pressure on the squad, but their efforts were always countered.

Veteran Payne led a second team of riders put together by Hopkins to test the national squad, with Sinclair Packwood, Kevin Topple, Paul Shrubb, Mel Bennett and Whayman Butterfield. But 30 miles into the race it was only Payne and relative newcomer Aaron Schindler who responded when Sterritt and national team members Jason Krupp and Dana Henry attacked on one of the hills.

A temporary alliance was formed with all five riders working together to extend their lead over the main field who tried in vain to close the gap.

With three laps remaining, the in-form Sterritt and workhorse Krupp put in attack after attack forcing Payne to chase everything down with an ailing Henry sitting on his back wheel.

Eventually with two laps remaining and Schindler finishing his race for an overwhelming victory in the Category Three race, Payne was left with the impossible task of covering three national team members with Krupp and Sterritt opening a clear gap.

Feeling the effects of the previous day's triathlon, Krupp dropped back on the last lap leaving Sterritt to secure the victory with Henry taking second and Payne third.

Tim Palmer and Mike Lee, after ensuring the main field didn't chase down the breakaway, opened a gap on the field themselves to finish fifth and sixth respectively.

Full results -- see Scoreboard.