The punishing ascent of Lighthouse Road provided a dramatic stage for the latest round of the Bermuda road racing season, as Matt Boys delivered a tactical masterclass to secure victory in a grueling contest of endurance and climbing prowess.
Organized by Bermuda Junior Cycling, the event saw a field of 25 riders navigate a demanding circuit that utilized the steep gradients of Southampton to separate the contenders from the pretenders. The day also carried significant off-bike weight, marking the official introduction of STARR as the new title sponsor for the association’s youth development programme.
In the combined A and B category race, the action ignited from the gun. Matt Boys launched a daring solo attack on the opening lap, forcing the peloton to react immediately. A high-caliber chase group, spearheaded by VT Construction duo Jackson Langley and Dominique Mayho, spent the early stages of the race desperately trying to close the gap.
While Langley successfully bridged the divide on lap two, the effort took its toll on the chase, with Mayho eventually falling out of contention. The battle then evolved into a game of tactical chess between Boys and Langley, particularly with the added incentive of the King of the Mountain (KOM) competition.
The race—and the KOM title—was decided on the final climb of Lighthouse Road. With double points on offer, Boys surged ahead in the closing meters to cross the line in 1:31:53, just two seconds ahead of a resilient Langley. Che’quan Richardson rounded out the podium, timing his final effort perfectly to claim third in 1:38:19.
In the C and Women’s division, the narrative was one of solo dominance. Paulo Medeiros broke clear early and never looked back, riding the entire three-lap distance alone to finish in 1:27:32. The battle for the minor places was far tighter, with Neil MacGuinness (1:29:32) narrowly out-sprinting Gordon Smith (1:29:35) for second. Nicole Mitchell produced a standout performance to finish as the leading female rider, securing fifth place overall in 1:29:55.
Beyond the results, the event highlighted the growing infrastructure of the sport on the island. Peter Dunne, President of the Bermuda Bicycle Association, hailed the new partnership with STARR as a landmark moment for youth development.
"We are fortunate to have such a prestigious company supporting these activities," Dunne said, noting that the new youth jerseys will prominently feature the STARR logo alongside long-term supporters Pembroke Paint. "This support enables athletes like Che’quan Richardson to lead our youth programmes and contribute to international competition, helping us grow the next generation of performance cyclists."
