In the absence of the island’s top riders at college overseas, the door was opened for the seniors in the Bermuda Bicycle Association National Criterium Championships today.

Darren Glasford took the title after a long escape with Steve Smith, who crashed with just a handful of laps to go after a front flat tyre.

Glasford took the victory solo while Adam Kirk, who had been chasing on his own for third place, was suddenly catapulted into second after Smith’s demise.

The peloton was left to contest for the final podium spot, with Mark Hatherley edging Simon Hanrahan for third.

In the Female Open race, Ashley Cooper finished ahead of the group after some good team tactics with CoraLee Starzomski.

Jamie-Lee Wright was able to distance herself from Starzomski but could not close the gap to Cooper, giving first and third to the VT Construction — Madison team and Bicycle Works taking second.

The Junior Male race was won by Nicholas Narraway after a long battle with Alexander Miller.

The two were able to split the race apart, taking Nazarai Fox with them. Fox would eventually fall of the pace but was able to hold on to take third.

Miller was out sprinted in the end but demonstrated his progress by working with Narraway to establish their lead and then consolidate it.

The Junior Women saw three competitors take the line, all of them being 14 years old.

Zoe Hassellkuss and Liana Medeiros took first and second while Megan Hands was in constant pursuit of the leading pair and finished just over a minute behind the leaders.

In the Junior A and Junior B categories, Jasmine Hassellkuss and Charlotte Millington took the victories, demonstrating the there is a rising tide of young female cyclists for the coming years.