Visiting pro Erik Wohlberg took an early lead in the CD&P Cycling Grand Prix yesterday, blitzing the field in the opening phase of the event, the time trial at Clearwater Beach.

The Canadian time trial champion, riding for the Butterfield Direct Saturn team, clocked a superb time of 12 minutes, 32 seconds over the 5.9 mile course.

That was more than 20 seconds faster than his team-mate Matt DeCanio (12.53).

But there were also some impressive performances from Bermuda's riders.

Young Kris Hedges, riding for the Butterfield & Vallis Snow Valley team, came home 10th overall in 13.37 to make a promising start to what he hopes will be a successful return home (see story, Page 19).

And the Island's top female rider Melanie Claude, who soon hopes to qualify for next year's Commonwealth Games, was the fastest women in a reduced field of 11 _ several entrants were unable to arrive as intended because of problems with US flights.

Claude, of Team Telebermuda, finished the course in 15 minutes and 13 seconds, 12 seconds ahead of second-placed Tina Skelley (15.25) of Butterfield Direct.

Bermuda's Julia Hawley, who like Claude also hopes to qualify for next year's Games in Manchester, England, placed fourth with a solid ride of 15.34. Like Claude, Hawley is riding for the Telebermuda team.

Other Bermuda-based riders competing in the pro men category last night were Wayne Scott (Winners Edge) who placed 23rd in 14.21 and Steve Millington who was 41st in 14.57.

Greg Hopkins' time of 14.19 would have placed him well up the field in the pro category, but he instead is racing in the local division.

Wohlberg and DeCanio's performance helped put Butterfield Direct Saturn ahead in the team standings with the third member of that team, Soren Petersen, clocking 13.52.

The much-vaunted US Postal team lie in second place after solid performances from Tyler Hamilton (13.16), Dylan Casey (13.18) and George Hincapie (14.01).

And Hedges' Snow Valley team lie third after John Wirsing led home the trio in 13.18 with Skip Menard clocking 13.44.

Among the three women's teams, Claude, Hawley and Catherine Powers (15.25) gave Team Telebermuda a commanding lead.

One of the highlights of the four-day Grand Prix is expected on Front Street this evening when riders compete in the Classic Criterium in which cyclists will lap the Hamilton course in just under a minute.