Air Station in St. George's when he survived a six-rider sprint finish to clinch victory in a time of two hours, nine minutes and 32 seconds for the 47 miles.

Favourite Clark Tear, who overcame a puncture just minutes into the race, was second two bike lengths back while Dana Henry just a half-wheel further back in third spot. All six of the top finishers -- Dwyer Williams, Mike Lee and Vance Stevens were the others -- recorded the same time.

Despite many attempts breakaways were short-lived and in the ideal dry and calm conditions, and with a small field, it proved impossible for one rider to dominate the event. Defending champion Sinclair Packwood was forced to abandon the race after six of the 10 laps.

The secondary event for novices and veterans took much the same pattern, albeit with a bigger field, coming down to a spectacular bunch sprint of nine riders with a delighted Vic Ball prevailing over Whayman Butterfield by a bike length. These two riders took the veterans and novices championships respectively.

Lynne Devine won her fourth successive women's title and Trevor Hedges successfully defended the junior crown.