American junior Todd Elenz blazed a scorching trail en route to victory among the youngsters in the first stage of the 2002 CD&P Grand Prix on Front Street last night.

Immediately breaking free of the pack at the start line, the 16 year-old Michigan resident made it all look so easy, successfully negotiating the opening turn near the Bird Cage before powering his way over Burnaby Hill, leaving all others in his wake.

He crossed the finish line in 15.03.6.

James Adams was the first Bermudian finisher in second place in a time of 15.23.8,while Geoffrey Smith, clocked at 15.27.7, rounded off the podium finishers.

"I'm best at climbing so that's what I did. I attacked on the short hill (Burnaby) and the rest was just a time trial all the way home," said Elenz of his decisive triumph.

"It was a little dark on the back streets (Reid Street) so I decided that I would really give it a go before there was a crash and luckily I managed to get a good gap quickly and I didn't have to worry anymore about crashing.

"That was pretty much my strategy from the start, to ride the entire way alone.

"I haven't done many stage races but I'm certainly looking forward to the next race. It will be fun. Plus I need the money to fly my bike back home!"

Adams, though evidently disappointed not to have seized top honours, was still pleased with his performance during the opening race.

"I really didn't know too much about him (Elenz), so I just tried to sit in behind to see what he was capable off," said Adams.

"But he didn't let on too much and he was a lot fitter than he appeared to be and when we hit the top of the hill, he just took off and I haven't seen him since."

Flora Duffy captured the junior women's 15-16 age division as the sole entry in the field.

And James E.C. Adams narrowly seized the junior men's 13-14 age group in a winning time of 15.20.0, closely shadowed by Matthew Godfrey (15.20.3) while Aaron Fenn crossed the line in the third place in 15.40.8

In the junior women's 13-14 age group, Ally Bolton (15.23.9) beat out sole rival Caitlin Conyers (15.38.4) to take line honours, while Timothy Fox (15.30.3) edged out Ricky Sousa (15.30.9) and Alexander McManus (15.31.3) to win the junior men's 11-12 age category.

Michael Coles (15.33.8), meanwhile, beat out Tyree Armstrong (15.58.9) and Amy Fox (16.54.4) to capture the junior open 11-12 age group.

Action among the junior riders takes a break today before resuming tomorrow at Clearwater Beach.