by the winner of Monday's Heritage Day Classic.

MacInnis Looby, whose victory by nine seconds was his second in the event, urged organisers to put up "some real prizes'' to give riders a greater incentive.

He told both television and press reporters: "If this is our most prestigious race, let the guys feel like it.'' But Greg Hopkins, who is also president of Bermuda Bicycle Association, fired back: "As all the cyclists know (its prestige) is not due to the format of the event, which is extremely short for a road race, but for the fact that it has the highest profile because of the day itself.

"As such I would have thought that to win the race in front of such incredible crowds would be incentive and reward enough.'' In a statement issued yesterday on behalf of the Association, Hopkins said Looby's comments were "disheartening''.

He added: "The BBA is a voluntary organisation that is self-financing, relying on donations and sponsorship from the private and corporate sectors plus the hard work of many of its members to raise the necessary funds to keep the Association running.

"As many sporting bodies will agree, sponsorship money is becoming increasingly difficult to find with so many demands being made on the private and corporate sector.

"We were very fortunate this year to receive the support of Jim Butterfield of Butterfield and Vallis when our previous sponsor pulled out two weeks before the event. One thousand dollars alone was spent on prizes which resulted in 15 of the 42 riders receiving very attractive high quality trophies.

"Over $6,000 has been spent by the Association out of its funds to send six riders to Cuba this week to compete in the Mini Nations Championship, Mr Looby being one of them.

"This money was earned through the hard work and voluntary effort of members and has dug deeply into the BBA's funds. Nevertheless we feel it is money well spent to give our riders the opportunity to compete overseas.'' Looby was repentant when he spoke to this newspaper yesterday, agreeing that he should have been more circumspect with his remarks.

Referring to yesterday's report in The Royal Gazette , he said: "I did say some negative stuff but I am worried that people will only have seen the headline and not read some of the positive stuff later on.

"It came across a lot stronger than I intended. I was really excited to win and would certainly apologise to Butterfield and Vallis who I was not trying to slam.'' Looby and Hopkins are known not to have always seen eye to eye but Looby said: "That was in the past and things have been much better recently. He had every right to be annoyed. In fact, on the night of my win he had even e-mailed me to congratulate me.

"I agree with what he said and apologise. I feel like it has killed some of the hard work we have put in on the relationship.'' TIGHT CORNER -- Cyclists negotiate a bend early in Monday's Heritage Day Classic. Winner MacInnis Looby yesterday found himself under fire from the Island's Bicycle Association over remarks he made following the event.