Sydney Olympics.

At the World B Championships road race in Uruguay on Sunday four of the Island's riders -- two men and two women -- were given the same time as the race winner. But their overall positions weren't high enough to secure a place in the Games.

In a gruelling 157 kilometre men's race, Geri Mewett, Bermuda's former Olympic swimmer who has now turned to cycling, and Steve Millington finished 26th and 28th respectively as they sprinted to the finish with the main pack.

But only the top seven earned Olympic berths.

In the women's race over 63 kilometres, Melanie Claude, fresh from her bronze medal ride at last week's time trial, and Julia Hawley, placed 15th and 19th respectively, again in the main finishing pack.

However, only the top five in that race qualified for Sydney.

Mewett and Millington were joined by team-mates Steve Sterritt, Kris Hedges and Mike Lee on a demanding course which included a six kilometre hill.

With Olympic qualifying at stake, 126 riders from 40 nations lined up for the 10-lap course with Argentina, Cuba, Ireland, South Africa and the host country ensuring a fast and aggressive race.

A combination of the course lay-out and windy conditions quickly broke up the field but when it came down to the final lap, Mewett and Millington had managed to work themselves into a position with the lead pack to challenge in the sprint finish.

In a typically hectic dash for the line, Gregario Bares of Uruguay edged out Pedro Perez of Cuba and Clarion Powers of Ireland in a time of three hours, 29 minutes, 25 seconds -- an average speed of 45.68 kph.

Mewett placed 26th and Millington 28th but both were given the same time.

Sterritt placed 60th and Hedges 62nd some six minutes behind the main pack while Lee failed to finish.

In the women's race Claude and Hawley found themselves in a surprisingly small field of just 24 riders.

Claude had been expected to be among the medal contenders but in what proved to be a negative race, her efforts to break the field up came to nought as the other riders appeared happy to decide the outcome in a mass sprint.

Maria Perez and her team-mate from Cuba, Yoanka Gonzales, took gold and silver with Claudia Santataingue of Brazil winning the bronze.

National coach Greg Hopkins said yesterday he was more than happy with the results.

"I'm very pleased with the way our riders performed in what was clearly a very tough competition,'' he said. "There were over 40 countries represented and the fact that it was an Olympic qualifier ensured everyone sent their best riders.

"I have not spoken to the riders yet but for Geri and Steve to be in the final sprint with top countries like Uruguay, Ireland, Cuba and South Africa is very encouraging. It shows we can compete at this level.'' Of the women's race, Hopkins added: "I was a little surprised at the size of the field. The fact that everyone appears to have stayed together to the finish tends to suggest a rather negative race.

"I have spoken to Vance Stevens (manager) and he told me Melanie did everything she could in the circumstances. Neverthless, this has been a great championship series for Melanie with her bronze medal win in the time trial and for the team as a whole.''