Bermuda's cyclists more than played their part in a night of high emotion at the CD&P Classic yesterday.

Women, Melanie Claude and Julia Hawley and men, 17-year-old Tyler Butterfield, Kris Hedges and Geri Mewett finished in the main pack among a field of international pros in their respective races -- a huge achievement for an Island fast getting a reputation in the sport.

But the night belonged to the American Team Saturn outfit and in particular Nicole Reinhart -- the top US rider killed while racing last weekend.

Before the start of the inaugural women's Criterium, Bermuda's national cycling coach Greg Hopkins led a minute's silence which visibly moved Reinhart's team-mates and friends.

"Twenty-four-year-old Nicole lost her life doing something she loved to do -- racing her bike,'' Hopkins told the Front Street crowd.

"She was not only renowned as a friendly competitive rider, but equally as an ever smiling, friendly person. She will be missed not only by her family, friends and team-mates -- who we are proud to welcome here tonight -- but by the whole cycling community.'' After a close 30-minute duel involving teams from ETSN, Farm Frites, Procter and Gamble, Eclipse, Elita, Autotrader and the Canadian Junior team it was fitting that the Saturn riders -- Suzanne Sonye, Anne Samplonius and Julie Hanson -- finished in formation, hands linked as they crossed the line.

Said Hanson afterwards: "Tonight's race was the most painful I have ever done and the pain had nothing to do with my legs. Nicole was like a sister to me, one of my best friends, and my life will never be the same.

"She was a true champion both on and off the bike. Part of the reason we are here is in honour of Nicole, knowing that she would have wanted us to come here and race our hearts out just the way she did.'' Referring to the finish, Hanson said: "I felt like we had to finish her last lap because she wasn't able to do that.'' In the men's race a fantastic break away by Saturn rider, Chris Wherry saw him cross the line some 16 seconds ahead of the field -- pointing to the heavens as he took the acclaim.

"We had a really tough weekend last weekend losing a team-mate. All of a sudden I got this burst of energy and it wasn't from me,'' Wherry said of his victory ride.

Wherry finished ahead of Navigators rider Todd Littlehales and third-placed Chris Walker of the Linda McCartney team with Bermuda's Butterfield and Hedges, racing for Richard Sachs, and Mewett, of team DeFeet Winners Edge, not far behind.

A delighted Butterfield, who heads to the World Junior Championships in France next month, said: "I got into second and the guy in front of me pulled off and I didn't just want to sit there and slow down the pack. In the junior races I have pulled back but never in a race of this calibre.''