weekend in the history of Island bicycle racing.

Last year's Bermuda Grand Prix has been displaced by the Conyers, Dill and Pearman Grand Prix, named after the law firm whose $15,000 contribution has paved the way for four days of racing, featuring top riders from England, Ireland, the United States and Bermuda.

"With this sort of sponsorship, this thing is going to go from strength to strength,'' Bermuda Bicycle Association spokesman Greg Hopkins said of the May 1-4 event.

At least 40 overseas riders are expected to compete alongside top Bermudians in four diverse races, culminating with a criterium through the streets of Hamilton on the Sunday.

Saturday features a road race of over 75 miles, preceded by a ten-mile time trial in St. David's on Saturday. The Conyers, Dill and Pearman Classic along Front Street kicks off the event on May 1.

The sponsorship boost has led to a doubling in prize money to more than $10,000, enabling the BBA to entice more and better riders -- including Gary Baker, England's number one-ranked cyclist.

Baker, 32, headlines a British team that also includes Colin Langley (ranked seventh), time-trial specialist Julian Ramsbottom and Domenic Sweeney, who competed at last year's Bermuda Grand Prix.

Team One Plus -- former home to defending Grand Prix champion Elliot Hubbard and current home to Dana Henry -- is confirmed as are some US semi-pro teams.

An Irish team is also expected to compete.

Henry, though, won't be donning the One Plus jersey. Instead, he'll be part of a Bermuda national team -- to be officially announced in April -- going head-to-head against the visitors over the four days.

"Altogether, it's going to be a pretty great event,'' said BBA race director Kip Herring.

CD&P spokesman Alec Anderson called the company's sponsorship a "long-term commitment. "We think it's a super sport to get behind,'' he said.

Other minor sponsors have signed on and more are being sought to help add an international flavour to the weekend, Herring said.

Last year's event lasted three days, ending with the 75-mile road race at the old Base lands. And noting the "unprecedented'' growth of Island cycling, Hopkins sees a bright future for the Grand Prix. "This is the beginning of something we think will be really big,'' he said.