Tyler Butterfield took his blossoming career in cycling to another level over the weekend when he won his first race in Europe.

The Olympic triathlete, who earlier this year decided to concentrate all of his efforts on one discipline after being offered a contract by crack French team Vendee U, surprised himself and his team-mates when he broke away to win the 120 kilometre amateur race from Les Essarts to La Verreirie in France - leaving more than 100 riders in his wake.

Butterfield made his move on the last hill in the final six kilometres of the race, opening up a gap of ten seconds, but then had to repel a frantic late charge from two rivals as he hung on to win by less than half a yard.

“It was real close at the finish,” admitted Butterfield in a telephone interview yesterday. “I didn't even get chance to raise my arms.

“Usually at the end you want to zip up your shirt so the sponsor's name gets some recognition as you cross the line. But I was just too focused on winning.”

After racing with the main pack throughout 106 kilometres of the event, Butterfield grabbed his chance for glory on two hilly six kilometre loops which led to the finish.

“After the first loop, I was familiar with the hill and second time round I decided that's where I should try to make my break,” recalled the 22-year-old Bermudian.

“I opened up a gap of about ten seconds but in the last two kilometres the two guys behind me really attacked and at the finish I just had enough to hang on.

“But this has really done wonders for my confidence. Last week in a similar race I got dropped by the pack. So to come back and win means an awful lot. I know now I can compete with these guys.”

Butterfield, meanwhile, admitted his biggest worry after Sunday's win was his inability to speak fluent French.

“I realised I'd have to get up on the podium and say a few words . . . and I thought 'uh, oh' . . .

“But I think I just about got through . . . I thanked the team and the sponsors and got down as quick as I could.”

Sunday's event was classified as a National race, the type in which Butterfield will compete throughout most of his rookie year on the French circuit.

He also, however, hopes to take part in the odd Elite race and possibly some Category Two pro races which attract the cream of professional racing.

In between, a rigorous training schedule with his Vendee team-mates keeps him on the road almost every day.

“Basically we train twice a day from Monday to Thursday, take a rest on a Friday, and then go for a light spin on a Saturday before racing on Sunday,” explained Butterfield, who joined the French team in January, having received an offer following his surprise triumph in last year's Bermuda Grand Prix.

“The way the schedule works out I'll be racing just about every weekend throughout the year. In fact, I think I have four races in the next two weeks.

“But it's definitely interesting. And I'm enjoying it.

“When I'm not cycling I'm practising my French. And there's not a lot of time for much else.”

Bermuda's former national cycling coach Greg Hopkins, who helped facilitate Butterfield's move to France, said yesterday he was “delighted but not entirely surprised” to hear of the Bermudian's triumph.

“We've known for some time that Tyler has enormous talent,” said Hopkins. “I guess what is surprising is that his first victory in France has come so soon.

“To make the transition from triathlete to full-time cyclist and win a race in his first few months is just awesome. People probably don't realise just how competitive cycling is in France.

“But this is just the beginning. It's going to be a roller-coaster ride for Tyler. He's going to have good days and bad days.

“But there's no doubt he's got what it takes to be successful.”