BERMUDA'S cycling team headed by Tyler Butterfield left the island yesterday bound for the Caribbean Cycling Championships in Tortola, British Virgin Islands with one thing on their minds ? to secure at least one place for Bermuda at next year's Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The team ? Butterfield, Kris Hedges, Geri Mewett, Garth Thompson and Wayne Scott ? is arguably Bermuda's strongest ever for these championships and three spots have been designated as qualifying places for the Pan Am Games in the road race. And these championships are also the last chance for Bermuda's riders to secure at least one of those Pan Am spots.

Butterfield, who took time out of his cycling career last weekend to win the Bank of Bermuda Individual Triathlon, said: "If we can win the race it doesn't matter which one of us crosses the line first ? we want Bermuda on top of the podium ? we want try to get at least one person on podium. There are three spots available for the Pan Am Games. It would be great if we could get a one-two or two-three at the end. I think the other guys are looking at me and Geri to get those spots ? both Geri and myself are riding our bikes more so we should have a chance. But at the same time if someone else gets there that will be great."

Butterfield added that if Thompson "who is a good time trialist" is halfway through the race and can go out alone in front he would say "do it".

Hedges, who is a multi-Caribbean champion and is returning to international cycling after a break, said: "Getting a Pan Am spot is one of the biggest things. And I don't think it will necessarily be the top three who qualify because from what I know countries like Guadelope and Martinique cannot participate in Pan Am games. So in effect it will not be the top three overall but the top three riders who are eligible and that will change the dynamic of the race quite a bit.

"There are still some grey areas right now (in qualification). For instance there is a Jamaican rider who as qualified already for the Pan Ams but there is a question of whether if he gets in the top three does he qualify another spot for Jamaica? Those are the things we are going to have to sort out during the managers meeting the day before racing starts ? hopefully we can get those things ironed out."

Peter Dunn is going as Bermuda's manager and the only qualifying Pan Am spots are in the road race where they will be over 90 riders competing on Sunday.

"Hedges added: "The main thing we will be looking for is to put Tyler and Geri in a position to get one of those qualifying spots ? or maybe more. But with cycling anything can happen ? you never know. Everyone has to be aware of their responsibilities and also opportunities when they arise."

Butterfield said: "I asked the guys what they want. I said to them 'look if you want to win for Bermuda, it doesn't matter to me who wins'. It is easier like that than saying we want to win but we want to win with these two riders. I am not bothered by who comes across line first."

While Butterfield has just completed his second year with top French team Vendee U and recently signed a pro contract with US team TIAA CREF, he said that Bermuda's riders are not used to working as a team.

"All five of us will be racing in the road race on Sunday ? about 80 miles. I am used to working with a team and I think it will be a good experience for the others. But you cannot just jump into a team and work 100 percent because it is hard to grasp the team role and the concepts. It is not rocket science but normally it takes two or three races before you start to click