Tyler Butterfield is only two years away from becoming a world class cyclist, according to his French coach.

Phillip Manduit, the former Bermuda national coach and the man now in charge of Butterfield?s Vendee U amateur team in France, said yesterday he has been enormously impressed with the young Bermudian?s progress after only one year as a full-time cyclist while confidently predicting that he has a long and successful career ahead of him.

The former triathlete decided to pursue a career in the sport at the end of 2004 after a stunning performance on the bike in the Olympic triathlon and a surprise triumph over a host of more experienced professionals in that year?s CD&P Grand Prix on local soil.

It is a decision Manduit believes he will never regret.

?With a couple more years experience behind him there is no reason why Tyler cannot be a top-class cyclist,? he said.

?Physically he is incredibly strong while on the mental side he is improving a lot as well. In a short space of time it has been clear he has what it takes.?

While his supreme athleticism, stamina and drive are not in doubt, Manduit cautioned that it would take some time before the 23-year old was totally comfortable with the intricate tactical battles of professional racing.

?At the moment he does not fully understand the tactics behind the sport, which comes only when you?ve been racing for a while,? he said.

?The way Tyler is, he wants to go flat out all the time and I?m trying to teach him to appreciate when to break from the pack and when to play it safe.

?There is a lot of tactics in cycling at the top level and it is not realistic to expect him to know them all right now.?

Along with Geri Mewett, Julia Hawley and potentially Lynn Patchett, Butterfield will be representing the Island on the bike at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, which opens on March 17.

Manduit was keen to stress, however, that expectations over Butterfield?s chances of success should remain low for now given that he will be up against professionals several years his senior.

?The Commonwealth Games field will be very strong,? he warned.

?There will be people from Australia and New Zealand who will be going into the Games right in the middle of their season while in Europe we are still basically in the off-season and have not had anywhere near as many competitive races as they will have had. So I cannot say for sure that Tyler will do really well. But the thing about Tyler is that he has enormous potential and often he can surprise you with his performances on the day.?

National coach Greg Hopkins, meanwhile, is another fervent believer in Butterfield?s talent and argued yesterday there were no limits to what he could achieve ? provided he remains motivated in what is a hugely demanding sport.

?At the top level the sacrifices that need to be made to be successful are incredible,? he said.

?In little over a year since Tyler first signed for the Vendee U team, he has gone from strength to strength and I think his performances have surprised even Phillip. Whether he wants it enough remains to be seen but up to now he certainly hasn?t shown any signs of slackening off.

?But I?m excited not just about taking Tyler down to the Games but all the other cyclists as well. Geri Mewett has been doing very well of late and don?t forget that he won the gold medal at the Island Games when Tyler was in the field. The pressure is obviously on Tyler to perform but knowing him like I do, I expect him to handle it.?