26-year-old American woman in Warwick.

And they believe the attack could be linked to a light-coloured car spotted near the scene.

The man confronted the woman, who is working in Bermuda, while she was riding her bike on South Shore Road. He tried to rape her in undergrowth near the Southlands estate.

Police described the attack -- which occurred at around 1.30 a.m. yesterday -- as "vicious.'' They have appealed for people who passed Southlands at that time to come forward.

They also want to trace a cabbie believed to have driven a white van-type taxi along South Road between 1.15 a.m. and 1.55 a.m. yesterday. It is thought he may have seen a "light-coloured compact'' car which accelerated and overtook the taxi.

Police spokesman Sgt. John Dale anyone who saw such a car in entrance of the driveway to Southlands to come forward.