Nicole Mitchell will not defend her women’s title at this weekend’s Butterfield Bermuda Grand Prix because of work commitments overseas.

Also missing from the annual three-day event, including a Hill climb in St George’s tomorrow, road race in Southside on Saturday and criterium in Hamilton on Sunday, will be Dominic Mayho who will be training in Belgium.

In Mayho’s absence for the second successive year, Shannon Lawrence will look to defend his title, having overcome a three-second deficit to claim last year’s Male A title race.

Hatherley, who was beaten into second last year, and Darren Glasford are expected to pose the biggest threats to Lawrence’s chances of another Grand Prix triumph.

About 100 riders are expected to compete, including three from Virginia.

In Mitchell’s absence, the top women contenders could be Zoenique Williams, who missed last year’s race because she was overseas, and April Galda Joyce who was second to Mitchell 12 months ago.

“If Karen Bordage and Karen Smith are racing, they will also add to the level of competition,” said Peter Dunne, the president of the Bermuda Bicycle Association.

“I think the women’s race will be pretty competitive.”

Mayho headed to Belgium for six weeks of training after a stint in California yesterday.

“He was literally in Bermuda for 48 hours, to swap his luggage from Southern California to Northern Europe,” Dunne said.

“He seemed very happy about the California experience and after Belgium he will go to two big races in Canada in early June and then be back here in middle of June for our National Championships.

“The nice thing about Belgium is that he will race at a high level every week. He’s made good career decisions, decisions that will help him progress in the sport. We expect him to be a part of the team that goes to the NatWest Island Games [in late June].”

Lawrence, who won the Bicycle Works Criterium last month, where youngsters such as Chequan Richardson and Matthew Oliveira showed their potential with good performances.

“Darren Glasford and Mark Hatherley are still in the front end of racing and there is a guy on the Tokio team, David McComas, who looks like he’s going to get an opportunity in this event,” Dunne said.

“I don’t know if he is ready to challenge Shannon, but Chequan has really come on this year, is very focused, has a good coach and training programme.

“Matthew is also doing very well and is one to watch. He’s got a good race head on him.

“For the hill climb, it’s one man against the clock but the nice thing about a stage race is you can make up time on another stage, like the criterium or road race.”

n The BBA is still working with the Police to finalise the course for the Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race on May 25, where cyclists will ride the St George’s to Bernard Park course for the first time.

Because of the narrow turn down Lane Hill onto Front Street (the route for the runners), it is deemed too dangerous for cyclists travelling at high speed and the option is to have the cyclists continue along Cavendish Road and either turn left on King Street or Court Street.

“Yes, we have a problem going down Lane Hill and have met with Police, toured the course with them and our suggestion is that we continue along Cavendish Road and make a left on Court Street and a right on Front Street,” Dunne said. “We could go down King Street but King is a narrower road.

“Going down Lane Hill, they would have to take out the sidewalk, basically. We’re waiting for the Police to come back and confirm what they think is going to be in the best interests of road safety.”

Like the runners, the top cyclists are embracing the new course, even though the many inclines will make for a very challenging race from the East End.

“I think it will be a very tactical race,” Dunne said. “We would just like to resolve the issue entering Hamilton.”