Updated: May 15, 2022 10:04 PM

Cameron Morris celebrates victory in the men’s open race ahead of teammates Philip Mace and Dominique Mayho at the Gnosis Criterium in Hamilton (Photograph by Lawrence Trott)

It was a good day for the VT Construction team riders at the Gnosis Criterium in Hamilton as teenagers Cameron Morris and Charlotte Millington won both the men’s and women’s divisions.

Many of the top runners showed up this morning for the race which looped around Victoria Park. Morris was part of a trio of VT Construction who broke away from the pack midway through the Open class race and took a comfortable victory taking all three podium spots.

Dominique Mayho and Philip Mace decided not to contest first place, opting instead to allow 16-year-old Morris to cross the finish line in first place in a team effort.

Morris was clocked in 29min 54.848sec while Mace was less than a second behind in 24:54.961 and Mayho third in 29:55.401.

Winner Cameron Morris glances at team mate Philip Mace as a third VT Construction team member Dominique Mayho raises his arm in celebration of a team win just before the finish line at the Gnosis Criterium yesterday in Hamilton (Photograph by Lawrence Trott)

All three had a period leading the pack after Mace had an early break from the pack before being joined by Morris and Mayho. They opened up a lead over the chasing pack and with victory for the team assured, the more experienced pair allowed Morris to lead them across the line.

“It was our plan before the start; the plan was to run for Cameron. He is young and works a lot and I want him to get used to being the team leader, to learn how to win,” said Mayho, one of the best cyclists on the island.

VT Construction’s trio Dominique Mayho, left, Cameron Morris and Philip Mace were the top three in the men’s open race at the Gnosis Criterium in Hamilton (Photograph by Lawrence Trott)

“Our plan worked pretty much perfectly, although I didn’t expect the three of us to be up front together. That’s just how it worked out in the end. Once reunited, we worked very well together.

“You could see on the course where the chasing group was, so on the last lap we were able to relax and work out who would cross the line first.”

In the closing stages of the race, the leading trio opened up a lead of around 30 seconds over the chasing pack, completing laps in just over a minute as the speed of the race increased.

“Most of the laps were around 1:05, 1:06 and the lap where Cameron and I caught Phil was really fast, like 1:02,” Mayho explained.

“Once we got there, we just got into a rhythm. All three of us have the same goals and it’s much easier to ride hard up front.

Chris Nusum of Winners Edge and Clifford Roberts of Bicycle Works rounded out the top five in the open category. Nusum was fourth in 30:23.627 and Roberts a close second in 30:23.700.

Charlotte Millington raises her arm in celebration of victory in the women’s race ahead of Anabelle Miller (Photograph by Lawrence Trott)

Millington clinched the women’s category as the teens took the top three spots, clocking 22:00.008 in a close final with Anabelle Miller of Winners Edge who clocked 22:00.628. Liana Medeiros finished third in 22:36.457.

Millington and Miller set the pace for most of the race, with Medeiros breaking away from the chasing pack to claim the other podium spot.

Millington, 14, has shown she can be someone to watch in the future. “I thought it was really good, this course suits me, the hills and all,” she said.

The course featured three speed bumps on Dundonald Street, but after that the race was allowed to proceed at high speed. “Speed ​​bumps aren’t so bad if you get on the right side,” said Millington, who looks forward to racing the Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race on May 27.

Today’s race was the last before the Sinclair Packwood Race, which will see all riders put their all on the line as they seek to add their names to the list of winners of the race held in memory of the former best runner.

Mayho admits his focus will be different in this popular race, looking to defend his title after a record fourth win last year.

“That one I’m going to try and win myself,” he said with a laugh. “It’s the jackpot of the year and everyone wants to win it!”

Ricky Smith beat young riders to win the Citizens class at the Gnosis Criterium (Photograph by Lawrence Trott)

Ricky Smith once again demonstrated in the Citizens category that age is not a factor when it comes to criterium racing. Smith took all the prizes in the sprint and the overall victory with clever positioning and well-timed pushes to pass teenagers Jake Smith and Jackson Langley.

Smith won in 23:27.510, with Smith second in 23:27.964 and Christopher Hands third in 23:28.604. Langley finished fourth.

Competitors prepare to climb the hill of Washington Street next to Victoria Park (Photograph by Lawrence Trott)

The youth class races were won by Andrew Thomas, Skye Ferguson and Makao Butterfield.

This will be the 35th edition of the Bermuda Day Race, which was first held in 1987 when it was won by Buddy Ford. Nicole Mitchell won last year’s women’s race.