Defending champion Wayne Scott believes the opportunity to compete against star cyclist Tyler Butterfield in the National Road Race Championships will be the perfect preparation for Bermuda’s Island Games team.

The timing of Butterfield’s return home could not be better for the best of Bermuda’s rest who will jetting off to Rhodes, Greece, next week for the showpiece event.

As an evergreen 40-year-old, Scott is the elder statesman of the eight-strong team and is adamant they have a realistic chance of being amongst the medals.

“I believe Bermuda has a great chance of tasting success at the Island Games,” he said.

“We have a strong team with Ricky Sousa jr, Geri Mewett — who won the road race last time around — and Garth Thompson.

“I may be the oldest member but I still believe I can make a contribution and help out the other members — I’ve been there and done it.

“Preparations have been going well and we all have a good relationship which is vital for a team game like cycling.”

“It’s the sort of sport where the designated rider can’t do it all himself and will need others to help out and protect him.”

Most of the Island Games team will be taking part the RSM National Road Race Championships at Southside on Sunday and Scott is delighted Butterfield, a former champ, will be racing.

Although his presence will almost certainly see Scott surrender his crown, he is looking forward to testing himself against the former Olympic triathlete.

“The National Road Race Championships are a pretty big deal and I have been fortunate to be able to win them on two occasions,” he added.

“I would have tipped Garth Thompson for victory but Tyler’s presence certainly changes that.

“He is back on the island for a couple of weeks and I would say he is the 99.9 per cent favourite.

“As a professional cyclist he is on a different level to the rest of us but we are all delighted he will be involved.

“It’s a race of attrition and it should be a hot day so it’s just a matter of hanging on in there.

“I had a great race last year when me and Garth Thompson managed to break away from the field — but I imagine it will be a different story this time around.”

Bermuda’s cycling team heading for the Island Games are Ricky Sousa jr, Wayne Scott, Geri Mewett, Garth Thompson, Mark Hatherley, Ashley Robinson, Kim McMullen and Denna McMullen.

Also travelling will be managers Peter Dunne and Dannielle Bezant as well as therapist Glen Robinson.

The games run from June 30 until July 6 and will see the team compete in three races; a criteriam, road race and time trial.