Bermudian cyclist McInnis Looby has jetted home from California to be on the starting line for the three-day Bermuda Grand Prix which gets underway with a two lap criterium on Front Street at 7.15 this evening. Looby told local radio on Wednesday that he would have to skip the Island's first major event of the season, but by last night he had returned and was a confirmed entry among the expected field of 40 Bermuda and overseas riders. But he made it no secret that financial difficulty in California, where he has been based since January, was the main reason for his sudden change of heart. "Bills were piling up and it's only because of the support that I got from my mother, the Bermuda Bicycle Association and New Winner's Edge, that I was able to extend my stay in California in the first place,'' he said yesterday. "When things continued to get rough again I simply had to come back home to regroup. That's why I am back today and looking forward to the Grand Prix after all.'' Fifth in the event last year, Looby believes he is capable of improving on that position despite the fact that there will be about 10 or 12 international riders competing over the three days.

Among the visiting riders are top US amateurs Tony D'Angelo, Pablo Castro, Bob Schuller, Art Garcia, Steve Lehmann, Lincoln Charles, Aaron Mengel and leading female rider Dierdre Murphy.

In addition to Looby, the locals competing include spriint champion Sinclair Packwood, Clark Tear, Greg Hopkins, Whayman Butterfield, Neil de ste Croix, Damian Wilson and Mike Lee.

"It's going to be a formidable field with the international riders being brought here and the local riders improving all of the time. I expect this one to be tough from start to finish,'' said Looby. "I am near peaking to where I can win races. Competing in about 10 races on the West coast has been a big help and I intend to return to California in about three weeks to continue my training,'' he added.

Looby's goal this year is the World Amateur Championships in Bogota, Colombia in October.

The Grand Prix will feature four races, starting with the one hour and two lap criterium today along Front Street (from the Birdcage to Court Street).

The scene changes tomorrow with the second and third races at the USNAS in St.

George's, starting with a five mile prologue time trial at 8.30 a.m. followed by a 30-mile short circuit road race.

Then on Sunday a 75-mile short circuit road race begins at 8.30 a.m.

McINNIS LOOBY -- returned from his home in California