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Aussie Scott Williams surprised a stellar field at the Bermuda National Cycling Championships to lead from the front for over 30 miles and take the title on his race debut.

Williams, a triathlete who only started cycling competitively this year, made an early break on lap three of the 50-mile race around St. David's Island.

Riding alone for the bulk of the race he opened up a sizeable lead which the chasing pack, including Garth Thomson and double Commonwealth Games gold medalist Greame Miller, were unable to close.

"I was just holding on towards the end and trying to grind it out. The last two laps I got up out of the saddle and tried to get in a zone, but it was tough."

At one point Williams had a two-and-a-half minute lead, but the gap was slashed to 30 seconds, and almost slipped away completely as he closed in on the finish line.

"Garth Thomson was bearing down on me. One more lap and I think he would have got me," admitted Williams, who rides for Team Madison, set up by New Zealander Miller, who finished third.

Unable to seek sanctuary in the peloton, Williams toughed it out from the front, tackling severe head winds on a stormy morning on Sunday.

"You are at the mercy of the elements, to a certain extent. There is no one to hide behind when you're not racing with the main peleton, so you have to do all the work yourself.

"The advantage is that you can take the corners a bit faster than in a group."

Going out on his own for 35 miles felt a bit like a time-trial to Williams, who admits he was feeling the burn, after finishing sixth in the official time trial championships the previous day.

He believes his lack of a high profile may have helped him make his break for the front unchecked, with the race favourites failing to recognize the threat until it was too late.

"I guess they weren't that worried about me. The team I ride for only has four or five guys. Cycle Works and Winners Edge have big teams so I guess they thought they could work together and bring it back pretty easy.

"While they were waiting and waiting I just pushed as hard as I could."

Williams, 35, said it was an honour to have won the national title.

"There are some good names on that trophy and I was not expecting to win, so it was fantastic. The guys on my team, and even the rival teams, were thrilled for me."

Dee Thomson won the women's race to add to the time trial she had won the previous day. Her husband Garth Thomson won the Men's Time Trial.

RMS Construction

National Road Race results

Male Open

Scott Williams 1

Garth Thomson 2

Graeme Miller 3

Mark Hatherley 4

Arthur Pitcher 5

Women Open

Deanna Thomson 1

Karen Bordage 2

Nichole Mitchell 3

Sarah Bonnett 4

Junior Male

Ryan Gunn 1

Alex Godfrey 2

Tre-Shun Correia 3

Mark Godfrey 4

Junior Female

Molly Pilgrim 1

Izabella Arnold 2

Hayley Evans 3

Sophie Adams 4

Michaela Eberly 5

Bank of Bermuda Foundation National Time Trial results

Male (20.4m)

Garth Thomson 44:35.

Neil De Ste Croix 46:40

Kent Richardson 46:41

David Collins: 46:59

Grant Goudge 47:20

Female (17m)

Deanna McMullen 40:59

Karen Bordage 42:07

Maryellen Goodwin 45:38

Hayley Evans 53:05

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