male counterparts in any sport.

This point was clearly driven home on Sunday when she pulled off a major surprise at the Bermuda Bicycle Association's final road race before the Cumberbatch National Road Race Championships scheduled for June 27.

On a day that was destined to become a race of attrition in extremely hot, humid and windy conditions it was Claude who eventually outmanoeuvred her male counterparts as most of the Island's top cyclists battled it out over a tough 63-mile route at Southside, St. David's.

"This was definitely go `gimme'. Melanie worked as hard as anyone in the race and she deserved the win, said Bermuda national coach Greg Hopkins who was clearly impressed with Claude's performance.

"We are hoping to send her to the World B Championships in Uraguay in November. This should be a great confidence boost for her.'' Claude was also happy with her performance, attributing her success to the fact that she has been training hard.

"Sunday's race was an indication that I am getting better. My primary goal is to race overseas against the top females in the world and to do well,'' she said yesterday.

The 20-lap course saw the riders encounter two tough climbs on each lap and it was not long before attacks began at the front of the big pack. Jason Krupp, Damion Wilson, Peter Eccles and Steve Millington made a break on the third lap and opened up a substantial lead.

With Krupp, Eccles and Millington being three of the most dominant riders this season it could have been the deciding move as some riders in the main pack protected their teammates' lead. However with the hard-working Kevin Topple and Steve Sterritt both finding their form at the right time in the season, coupled with some help from the experienced Earl Godfrey and Jeff Payne, the breakaway pack was kept within a minute and their efforts were rewarded when at about 25 miles the leaders' well orchestrated move began to fall apart.

Following an attack on one of the hills by Krupp, Millington was the first to fall away and then in a clearly pre-conceived move Krupp pulled out of the race leaving Eccles and Wilson on their own.

It was then that the race began to take shape as Wilson finally paid for his efforts and was dropped by Eccles who clearly had no option but to attempt a solo finish.

With 35 miles to go it was not likely as the chasing efforts of the pack took on a new urgency. Millington was caught and managed to stay in the pack but Wilson was not so lucky as he was reeled in and passed.

With no teammate off the front, Winners Edge riders Greg Hopkins and Claude joined forces with Topple, Payne, Sterritt, Godfrey and Millington and worked to pull back Eccles with last week's winner and teammate of Eccles, Dayna Henry having the luxury of sitting in.

As the chase group closed within seconds of Eccles the leader suffered a flat tire ending an almost 40 mile breakaway and in a gesture of appreciation of his efforts the pack agreed to slow and wait for him.

Once he did the attacks started again. Sterritt and Topple both made determined attempts to get away but were reeled in and Millington and Godfrey were finally dropped as the race wound down to the final miles.

Then the deciding and unexpected move was made with just over three laps to go. Hopkins, realising the top men were all watching each other's every move, eased up behind Claude and told her to attempt a break and that's just what she did.

As the men looked at each other she built up a lead that was not to be captured. Having accepted this, the final two laps saw one attempt after another fail to break the deadlock in the chasing group.

Sterritt appeared to have made the best move as he attempted to bridge to Claude but was reeled in by Henry who then made a move off the front himself which was chased down.

On the last hill gaps began to appear between the lead group as riders tired with a sprint finish looking likely as Claude crossed the line uncontested.

In a sprint for the line, Henry outpowered Sterritt for second place overall, taking honours in the category Two, followed by Topple, Eccles, Hopkins and Payne.

Hopkins said of Claude's performance: "Melanie has been working very hard all year with her husband Paul and in national squad rides her strength has been very clear.

"I had to tell her to save her energy a couple of times in the race because she wants to chase everything that moves. Late in the race I knew all the guys were watching each other's moves and so I told her to make a break which she did,'' he said.

In the novice category a hard fought battle between newcomers Andy Kain, Jay Simons and Jahdal Williams came down to the wire with Canadian Kain edging out Simons and Williams in a close sprint for the finish.

An impressive Vic Ball, who has dominated the veterans category this year, was again a decisive winner having stayed with the lead riders for over half of the race beating out Paulo Madeiros and Steve Petty.

Melanie Claude: Pulled off a major upset by winning Sunday's road race at Southside against top local men.