have already found out at the World Cycling B Championships in Malaysia: It's hot out there.

Lee and Steve Sterritt will form the Island team that takes part in today's road race, along an undulating 146-kilometre course in conditions best described as oppressive.

"Worse than Bermuda in August,'' said Jeff Payne, who along with Sterritt turned in fine performances in Sunday's time trial.

Temperatures in Kuala Lumpur are in the mid-90s F -- with humidity to match.

While that could be a factor for nations unaccustomed to such conditions, any Bermuda advantage could be washed away today, when showers are forecast.

Speaking by phone from the team's hotel, Payne told The Royal Gazette that the heat was so bad, he couldn't see his wrist computer during his race because sweat "was just pouring out of me.'' To wipe the sweat away would mean losing precious aerodynamics, he said.

Still, Payne said he "thoroughly enjoyed'' his race -- and not just because he was able to set a personal best (56 minutes and four seconds) over the 40.3-kilometre course.

And neither because he was able to have the last laugh on the race official who questioned the age (58) on his cycling licence (although he admitted it was a motivating factor).

He was also looking at the long-term future of the sport in Bermuda. "I think we've found a niche where we can compete as a nation and not be outclassed,'' he said. And that, Bermuda Cycling Association president Greg Hopkins said yesterday, was the goal when the national squad was formed earlier this year.

"It's far better to come away with positive results, albeit in a competition that is not top, top in the world, rather than scratch and claw and not come away with anything,'' he said.

That could be the case today, particularly with Sterritt, who was 21st in the time trial. Even though Bermuda only have a two-man team -- against nations with up to five riders a team -- he could finish in the top ten percent of a 150-man field. Hopkins speculated Payne's result "bodes well'' for Bermuda today.

JEFF PAYNE