Bermuda Bicycle Association (BBA) president Peter Dunne was pleased with how the Bermuda Grand Prix weekend went considering the weather was less than helpful for the three-stage event.

Riders and spectators alike witnessed Tom Barras successfully defended his Bermuda Grand Prix title, winning two of the three races over the weekend.

The UK rider won Saturday's Criterium at Morgan's Point, and then out-sprinted Jason White in a thrilling finish to triumph in Hamilton on Sunday. In-between he picked up third-place at the second stage, a Time Trial at Clearwater Beach.

Barras was pushed hard by Garth Thomson, and the HotTubes development team from the US, but with World Championships silver medalist Tony Gibb in his corner, the Brit managed to take the title for a second year running.

Dunne expressed his pleasure with event, particularly the race at the top of the Men's 'A' division and the attendance of Sunday's race in the city of Hamilton.

"The entire weekend went extremely well," said Dunne. "Though the weather was less than perfect on Sunday morning (major downpour), there were no issues to speak of.

"We had great racing in all the categories and it was competitive at all levels.

"Tom is a great rider on any day in any location, but he was able to defend his title due to having his teammate, Tony Gibb, there to control the final race.

"Several times it was Gibb's task to bring back the attacks that were being made by the Hot Tubes guys and, at one point, by local Mark Hatherley. Gibb's final position does not reveal his role in delivering Tom to the overall victory.

"Our Sunday afternoon race in Hamilton was very well attended, both with intentional spectators as those who just happened to be in town that afternoon.

"The restaurants and cafes that were open had some exciting racing right outside their windows and I think it made for an exciting environment for those racing.

"Of course few are going to watch a time trial in the pouring rain and the Morgan's Point property is, for the most part, out of the public eye, but both of these events set up exciting situations for the final stage in Hamilton."

With the road season winding down, the focus will soon be on the mountain bike season and the development of the younger riders in this part of the sport.

Before turning to focus on that, Dunne must first confirm the involvement of riders that will be representing Bermuda at the Caribbean Championships, a process that was done last night.

"Locally, our road season is winding down, with one more road race, and three more time trials before the end of October. We get a few weeks rest and then our mountain biking season will start up as well as the very popular Tokio Youth Mountain Biking Series for primary school children.

"Also, our senior schools cycling clubs are now starting up at Berkeley, CedarBridge and MSA with a few more coming on line, we hope.

"Bermuda Institute has a mountain biking program going as well so you should see plenty of kids on bikes in the coming months.

"On the international front we have the Elite Caribbean Cycling Championships on October 24 and 25 in Barbados. By the end of this evening (last night) our selections will have been ratified and we will make an announcement tomorrow (today).

"We hope the team composition will allow us some near term success as well as provide an opportunity for developing cyclists."