One of the Island's top cyclists remains one of the few without a sponsor.

But don't cry for Steve Sterritt.

"I have no desire, particularly,'' the 33-year-old rider said on the eve of his departure for the gruelling Tour of the North, a five-day stage race over this month in his native Northern Ireland.

"Cycling should be every man for himself, especially in Bermuda ... it's not right for amateurs.'' While most Island riders wear the colours of Island bicycle shops Winners Edge or Wheels, two -- Damion Wilson and Mike Lee -- have formed a partnership under the Pure Water umbrella. Sterritt, however, remains a lone wolf.

"I'm not prepared to wear someone's name on my jersey just to get a deal on parts,'' he said.

The defending national champion, Sterritt won the first race of the local season two weeks ago and was second to Wilson in the IBC Criterium on Front Street this past Sunday. He says he prefers to win races by himself, rather than support a designated rider -- or vice versa.

Teamwork can be critical in cycling because of drafting, blocking, marking and allowing a cyclist to sacrifice himself by going out very fast and forcing individuals to follow.

"That's not my style,'' Sterritt said.

"You see guys who, once their rider is up front, their job is done. I'm not content racing for second place. At the start line, I'm 100 percent for myself.'' But he admits there are "pros'' to having sponsors, notably their help in funding trips to overseas competition, the lack of which can be a major hurdle for Island riders.

Now 33, Sterritt is only two years into what is basically a cycling comeback.

A competitive cyclist in his native Belfast, he turned to other pursuits -- including triathlon and motocross racing -- while in Bermuda from 1985-89. He returned to the Island four years ago.

But he has no illusions of winning the Tour of the North, a 280-mile trek beginning on Good Friday and featuring several elite riders from the UK. He says he would be happy with a top 30 finish in a field of up to 120.

"It's a good test for me,'' he said. "It's probably the premier event on (the Irish) calendar,'' he said.

And it's also one of the more unpredictable because of the climate. Snow would not come as a surprise, particularly in the hilly terrain that marks the final stage. If that's the case, Sterritt's hopes of making up ground from the third-day time trial -- not his favourite event -- would be lost.

"Bermuda kind of softens you for the weather,'' said Sterritt, an engineer with BAS.

Using accrued vacation time, he leaves on Thursday and returns on April 3. In addition to the Tour of the North, Sterritt will compete in other smaller races -- and catch up with a multitude of family and friends.