Ricky Sousa faces a two-pronged family attack when he defends his National Duathlon crown at Clearwater Beach this Sunday.

The event is the first on Bermuda Triathlon Association's 2003 calendar and Sousa will be hard pressed to hold on to his title in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive event with South African brothers Riann and Evan Naude both gunning for overall victory.

Sousa should still start as one of the favourites over the five kilometre-30 kilometre-five kilometre course. He finished seventh in last Sunday's Evian 10-mile road race and has worked hard on his cycling as he prepares to compete in the US National Duathlon Championships in two weeks' time.

However, the Naude brothers, both of whom rank among the top five road runners on the Island, are likely to provide the defending champ with a tough challenge as they are also strong cyclists.

Riaan finished with the lead pack in last weekend's IBC Criterium bike race but claims his brother is an even stronger cyclist.

Another real contender for overall honours will be Jamie Pedro who is likely to have one of the fastest bike splits and has improved his running considerably this year. However, like Sousa, he will need a good lead off the bike if he is to hold off the Naude brothers.

Jamie Brown, a relative newcomer to Bermuda and a former Great Britain junior duathlete, and the much improved Norbert Meyer will also be looking for a top-three finish as will Jason Krupp who is likely to have the fastest bike split of the day but may not have the running speed to take the overall title.

Kent Richardson and Andrew Davis, both of whom would have been in contention for overall honours, are currently concentrating on cycling and unlikely to be in Sunday's field.

Much interest could also focus on juniors Geoffrey Smith and Dominique Nannette who will also be looking for a top ten finish.

On the women's side, defending champion Karen Smith, who has dominated the triathlon and duathlon scene locally for the past few years, is still undecided as to whether she will compete.

Smith has been nursing an injury for some months that has severely restricted her running but says she is anxious to take part. However, she's unlikely to decide until the last minute on whether to defend her title.

If Smith does enter she will face stiff competition from Lynn Patchett, who like Sousa is preparing for the US Duathlon Championships the following weekend and has shown excellent running and cycling form.

On the bike there is not much to choose between them but Patchett, the May 24 champion last year and second in last Sunday's 10 miler, is likely have the edge on the run.

Deanna McMullen, who last year won the overall women's title in the Shell Triathlon and placed fourth in the 10-miler, will also be looking for a top-three finish as will sister Kim McMullen, third in last Sunday's road race and fifth overall in the recent Mountain Bike National Championships. Also likely to be in contention will be Karen Madeiros.

In addition to the overall champions there will be age group champions for ages 16-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-plus. There will also be a novice race over 1.66K/10K/1.66K and a team event for teams of one cyclist and one runner.

Racing gets underway at 9 a.m. and will be preceded by the junior national championships for ages seven to 15. Entry forms are available in sports stores or at Coldwell Banker or at www.raceday.bm with the entry deadline being 4.45 p.m. today.