The cyclist knows he has something all other riders on the Island would dearly like to have.

As defending champion in tomorrow's prestigio us Heritage Day race he is aware all eyes will be on him -- and he is ready for the challenge.

Hedges has flown in from the US for the event that pits the Island's top riders against each other over a 13-mile course.

The Bermudian, who signed for the Stateside Snow Valley team at the end of last year, is in excellent form and is using the race as part of his build-up to the World B Championships in China next month.

However, he is by no means complacent and knows that even though he is the title holder he will have to be at his best to beat the best.

"You win this race and everyone knows who you are, it's probably the most important race on the calendar,'' he said.

Champ Hedges feeling the heat From Page 21 Those who could present a challenge include Bermuda national coach Greg Hopkins and Steve Millington, in scintillating form locally having won five races so far this year.

"I'm sure there's going to be stiff opposition between Steve and Greg and a couple of riders who have been training real hard with the World Bs coming up and haven't made the team and maybe have something to prove,'' said Hedges.

"It's a locals' race and everyone gets motivated, it's only 13 miles so we will see what happens.'' Hedges didn't give too much away as far as his race plan was concerned but said he would prefer not to be involved in a mass scrap for the finish, especially if Winners Edge riders Millington and Hopkins are in the hunt.

"Last year I rode for Team Winners Edge, this year I am going to ride in my Snow Valley stuff so we will be riding against each other but at the same time I would like to see them do well,'' he said.

"Last year I went early knowing that Steve would come with me and we would pull other people with us. Now I'm riding by myself it will be a little more difficult to say what I am going to do. I might leave it late or I might go early. But the race is only 13 miles so it's almost a sprint, so I don't think you can leave it too late.'' A fan of the course, the rider said there was only one aspect of it that concerned him and it had nothing to do with the terrain.

"I won't look forward to coming down Front Street if I'm with more than one other rider! But other than that the course is beautiful and I love riding here,'' said Hedges, who heads off for a race in Baltimore at the weekend and quickly follows that up with an event in New Jersey on Monday.

Hopkins, meanwhile, was laid low by illness last week and as result did not ride for three days.

That fact might have led to him playing down his own chances of success, despite a second placed finish at the weekend.

"May 24 is a strange race. It is so short, everybody is so hyped because it's such an occasion, you will see guys come out of the woodwork on the day,'' he said.

"I think realistically, and I'm not trying to take pressure off myself, if things go the way I think they will go then I would see it coming down to a two horse race between Kris and Steve -- possibly a third with Kent Richardson because he is riding extremely strong right now. I think that that would be the way it would pan out.

"I think it's going to be a very explosive race from the start and unless you are in contact with those guys, even in the first mile, I think the race could well be over very early.'' Millington, who will be a team-mate of Hedges at the Worlds, typified the friendly rivalry between he and Hedges when he discussed the pair's chances.

"I don't know what is going to happen, but I know what I would like to happen,'' he said with a wry smile. "I would like Kris and I to be away on our own sprinting for the finish ... and him puncture with like a mile to go.'' Though he must be in with a good chance of wresting the title away from Hedges, given his current form, Millington doesn't believe the pair are on an equal footing.

"I think everyone is a challenger to Kris,'' he said. "There's not many equal with him. I'd like to think over 13 miles I probably could be (a threat) but we will have to see.'' Julia Hawley and Melanie Claude, who are also heading to China, will be looking to mix it with some of the men.

"I am looking forward to it. Melanie and I have been training with the guys and racing with the guys all year, working Category Two. May 24 is always a different race, it's short but it's good training for us and good preparation for China,'' said Hawley, who with Claude will be travelling to New York on Friday for a three-day stage race.

"That will be challenging but I think it's a really good race for us at this point getting ready for China.'' Claude, meanwhile, acknowledged that the focus would be on the expected duel between Hedges and Millington but said she hoped for a good outing.

"It's going to be a very challenging race now that we have got Kris down. I knew it was going to be challenging with Steve here but I think it will be interesting to see what the outcome will be,'' she said. "I am basically going to go out there to try my best and work with my team-mate Julia as much as I can, as well as a few other people, and hopefully I can at least have a good result.'' Pedal power: Members of Bermuda's World B Championships (from left) Julia Hawley, Melanie Claude, team assistant Jennifer Hedges, national coach Greg Hopkins, Steve Millington and Kris Hedges show their colours prior to heading to China.