decision and manner in which the Duathlon committee chose to disqualify him and team-mate, runner Steven Caines after they had apparently won last Saturday's event at the United States Naval Air Station in St. George's.

Outerbridge and Caines were stripped of first-place honours because it was determined that Outerbridge had drafted off other riders during the 30-kilometre cycle leg.

But the pair had to sit through the prize presentation unaware of their fate until the team comprising runner Jamal Hart and cycling partner Kevin Topple -- who had come in third -- were announced as champions.

The reality hit home when the organisers proceeded to pack up, leaving Outerbridge and Caines feeling hard done by.

"I think they acted very unprofessionally and in poor taste,'' said Outerbridge. "I only found out at the prizegiving and when I went over to the officials and to inquire as to why we hadn't won they said, `Oh you were disqualified'.'' Adding more fuel to the fire was the fact that they (committee) failed to include Outerbridge or fellow rider Dana Henry, who teamed with Ronue Cann, and was similarly disqualified for drafting, in their meetings.

"They said that they had a meeting but it didn't involve us (Outerbridge and Caines) having any say in the matter,'' said Outerbridge, who represented Bermuda in cycling at the last Pan Am Games held in Cuba.

"I think they need to look over their rulings and the way they provide information to people. They should be a little more organised and put these rules on paper so that we (competitors) can read them over.'' Outerbridge also said that it was incorrect to say that he was drafting as he was in the lead most of the time...except when coming from behind the slower riders and occasionally he may have tucked in behind somebody when rounding corners where he had no choice.

He was aware that he could not go within two feet of another competitor for more than 30 seconds and claimed that at no time did he contravene that rule.

Thus he was surprised when a race official warned him as he made his way around the course.

"I only got one warning...when a guy (race official) yelled out `here's your final warning'...I wanted to know where was the first one.

"You had three guys equal in strength (Henry, Topple and Outerbridge) and none of us could get away from each other .'' Outerbridge claimed that several of the other competitors had stated their disagreement with the ruling...including the winner, Topple.

Nevertheless, Outerbridge said he was supportive of the Bermuda Triathlon Association in providing these events and did not want to paint them in a bad light.

"I think that they make a good contribution to society. I'm only making this protest so that this sort of thing won't happen again.'' RICHARD MASON -- Stayed on the straight and narrow during this cycle leg for the third placed team that included runner Mark Haydon.