secured a spot on California-based Team Extreme.

The local rider received the welcome news after placing 36th out of 124 during the Enchanted Mountain Race that saw only 68 cyclists finish the three-stage, 130-mile event.

Looby is due to fly to Oakland after taking a break at the end of the current season.

However, while excited about being selected by Team Extreme, Looby is not so enthusiastic about this year's World Championships, slated for Colombia in October.

The Bermudian is concerned by the course being set up by the host nation, which appears tailor made for their riders.

"I'm having second thoughts about the Worlds, as basically it's racing up a mountain with something like 12,000 feet elevation and I don't think I could handle that as yet,'' said Looby, who nevertheless is still hopeful of qualifying for the event.

"It's a climber's course. There won't even be a group, it'll just be a couple of strong men out front in both the pro race and the amateurs.

"The Colombians have picked out a course for themselves, but I would still like to go for the experience and see what it's like.'' Another Bermudian, Elliott Hubbard, who relishes hill climbing, has already qualified for the championships, and like Looby, is racing on the east coast circuit as a member of the Tri State Velo team based in Pennsylvania.