This Sunday's National Road Race Championships at Southside will be a showcase for the very best that Bermuda has to offer in the world of cycling when the action gets underway at 8 a.m.

For the first time in recent history, all of the Island's top riders will be pitted against each other for the honour of holding the coveted title of national champion.

With reigning champ Tyler Butterfield, recent NAAC champion Kris Hedges, Florida-based Wayne Scott and Geri Mewett all returning for the weekend's RMS Construction-sponsored event, it should prove to be a classic 'battle of the giants' as they mix it up with the leading locally-based riders during the 75-mile race.

Normally only together as part of the national team for international competitions, the overseas-based riders are unlikely to use any 'team tactics' as they try to put their vast experience to good use.

Speaking from Florida, Scott, who arrives today, made it clear that the race would not be easy for anyone.

"It's going to be a hard race. If it comes down to a sprint I am confident that I have a good chance, but to be honest I don't plan to soft pedal to the end to put it to the test."

Renowned as an aggressive, attacking rider, Scott appreciates the value of having the national champion title on his resume for a year. "It's definitely an important event to win. I am just starting to come into form right now in the build-up to the Island Games and World Bs. It would be nice to go as national champion," he added.

Mewett, a former winner of the event, expects a bigger challenge than during his 1999 victory.

"Cycling has come a long way in Bermuda and the field is going to be much stronger," he said. "Last time I was an unknown quantity, but to win the championship gives a great sense of accomplishment."

Regarding all the top riders being in Bermuda for the event, the former Olympic swimmer said he was certain it would be a tough race

"We (the Bermuda team) have some tough races coming up, and this race needs to be too. Kris (Hedges) knows there won't be any friends out there (on Sunday) when you are trying to bring someone back. No-one wants to help, but everyone wants the gap closed. Whoever steps up and performs will win on Sunday."

It was a far more cautious Hedges who commented from his home in Baltimore where he recently graduated from John Hopkins University and rides for the top east coast amateur team of Snow Valley.

"I was quite sick last week and was wiped out for a couple of days. Right now a grandma on a sit-up-and-beg bike could ride away from me," he quipped.

However, the Island's top rider is not counting himself out. "It's great to finally have everyone there. It will mean so much more to whomever wins."

Hedges added: "Even if I was one hundred percent it would still be tough to win. It's going to be exciting. I think it will break up early, the longer distance will help us (overseas riders) and I will be looking for a long break."

The 75-mile event is the longest race for the local riders but there will be plenty of challengers on the start line.

National Team members for the Island Games, Jean Bertrand, Kent Richardson and Karl Outerbridge will be looking to impress, as will the Island's first mountain bike Team riders, Neil de St.Croix, Andrew Davis and powerhouse Garth Thompson as they prepare to travel to Guernsey later this month.

And it's a who's who of local cycling when one looks at the start list with Tyler Butterfield, who recently returned to the Island for a break from his triathlon training, Jon and Matthew Herring, Andy Kain, Marcellino Ferreira, Steve Millington, Jason Krupp and evergreen veteran Jeff Payne along with top females Julia Hawley, Lynn Patchett and Karen Smith all looking to take gold.

And if that's not enough, there will be a special spectator on the roadside as former professional cyclist Elliot Hubbard returned to Bermuda this week for the summer. Now a law student in England, the Island's best ever cyclist will no doubt be looking to see who has followed in his footsteps.