Dominique Mayho of Team Madison Digicel picked up where he left off 2013 by winning the season-opening criterium in Hamilton yesterday in a race that was marred by three crashes.

The incidents all occurred at the same Bermudiana Road/Pitts Bay Road corner, and involved Zoenique Williams, a top women’s rider, and B category competitor Shomari Steede.

Both riders had to be taken to hospital after careering into a building after making a sharp right turn. A male rider in the adult C class was also involved in a crash at the same corner.

“Thankfully all those competitors who were involved in crashes, including the two more serious ones [Williams and Steede], all received medical treatment on site or at KEMH and have been released,” said Peter Dunne, the president of the Bermuda Bicycle Association.

The subsequent restart after five laps gave Mayho, the race leader, Shannon Lawrence, of Team Tokio, and Mark Hatherley, of Winners Edge, the eight-second lead they had at the point of the stoppage.

“After last week and my accident overseas [Tuscan, Arizona],” Mayho said. “I knew it would be difficult but I knew that if I could be in the lead pack that things would work out in the end.

“Mark has been great all year, his form and fitness is remarkable at the moment and for me to win I had to be at my best.

“To start the season with a win is good, but in the bigger scheme of things, it is a step in the right direction for the rest of the season.”

In the women’s adult race, April Galda, of Team Madison, took the women’s title, finishing ahead of Gabriella Arnold, of Winner’s Edge.

In the B race Shomari Steede, of Social Cycles, slid out of the race after crashing on the final turn, with Kwame Curling following, to hand victory to 15-year-old Christian Oatley.

Phil Trussell, of Team Madison Digicel, moved into second just ahead of Sports Minister Wayne Scott, of Winners Edge, who came third.

“I feel good after this event, the track was a bit testy but I knew that if I could just hold my lines and ride my race I would be OK,” Galda said.

“Nicole Mitchell wasn’t here to really go head-to-head and give the spectators something to watch in our race, but we will race at some point.

“I love the competition and it would have great to have her here, but she is overseas and performing well. Racing in Bermuda can only get better with our riders going abroad.”

Results, page 20