Bermuda will line up for this weekend?s Caribbean Cycling Championships in Tortola, British Virgin Islands with arguably the strongest team the country has ever assembled.

And judging by the impressive entry for this year?s championships, with 96 riders representing 21 countries, the five Island cyclists will need to be on top of their game.

Tyler Butterfield, Kris Hedges, Geri Mewett, Garth Thompson and Wayne Scott will not only be attempting to come home with the coveted road race and time trial titles, but also to gain one of three spots that have been designated qualifying places for the 2007 Pan-Am Games to be staged in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil next July ? the cyclists? last remaining chance of qualifying for the Games.

On Saturday, Hedges and Thompson will be first up for Bermuda when they tackle the time trial over a pancake flat, yet somewhat bizarre course for a championship event, which by all accounts will see the riders have to negotiate nine ?speed bumps? during the 20-mile out and back course.

Making a return to international cycling after a break, former full-time cyclist and multi-Caribbean champion Hedges will still enter the event as one of the favourites but if Thompson can perform the way he has been in recent months both locally and overseas, the ?powerhouse? rider could also be one to watch.

National coach Greg Hopkins said: ?Kris is starting to find his form at the right time, but Garth has taken his riding to another level this season. He recently smashed the 23 mile time-trial record (previously held by Hedges) in Bermuda and is in excellent form and highly motivated.

?I have no concerns about the way they are both riding, but I am concerned about the speed bumps on the course. If they can clear them without any problems we have a strong chance of a medal.?

Two riders from each country are allowed to enter the time trial.

On Sunday, all 96 riders will battle over the 80-mile road race, comprised of ten eight-mile loops with a hill at both ends of the course.

Whilst reportedly not long hills by British Virgin Island standards ? the country has some severe climbs of up to 5,000 feet ? the cumulative effect of two climbs on each lap will no doubt become a major factor in the outcome of the race.

The weight of Bermuda?s expectations will be firmly on the shoulders of the Island?s top rider Tyler Butterfield who has just completed his second year with top French team Vendee U and recently signed with US professional team, TIAA CREF.

However, in a sport that can often take on the characteristics of a chess game, with team tactics playing a vital role in the outcome of the race, Butterfield being a marked man could easily open up an opportunity for someone like team-mate Geri Mewett to take advantage, just as he did when he won the Island Games last year in the Shetland Islands.

Hopkins added: ?Tyler is without doubt the best rider we have ever had and has had some excellent results this year both riding for Vendee U in Europe and especially at the Commonwealth Games in Australia. But as much as he would like to win the championship, he will be working with the rest of the team to try and get a Bermuda rider on top of the podium, regardless of which one it is.

?With this team we have a good chance to do that but there will be 90 other very good riders trying to do the same thing. It?s going to be a very tough championships especially with Pan-Am Games places at stake.?

US-based Mewett, who is a former Olympic swimmer, teamed up with Butterfield at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year and clearly showed he is in great shape with an impressive ride in the first stage of the abandoned Conyers Dill and Pearman Grand Prix last month.

The powerful rider has shown on a number of previous occasions that given the chance to break away in an event, he can be a hard man to catch.

Knowing this, other countries will be reluctant to let him go, but if the opportunity arises it may well be a tactic that could benefit the Bermuda team.

Hopkins explained: ?The plan for the race will not be finalised until the riders have seen the course. They will ride it when they get there and based on what they see will determine how they decide to race.?

The fifth member of the team, Wayne Scott, has been the most consistent rider on the Island for the past two seasons and has a wealth of overseas experience which he will be expected to put to good use in what will likely be a supportive role.

Known for his ?never-say-die? attitude, Hopkins expects Scott to give everything to the success of the team. ?I have never known anyone that can dig as deep as Wayne. When he is called upon to close a gap, or to drive the pace, you know he will do it until he drops. This is a very well rounded team,? added Hopkins.

The team leave for Tortola on Thursday.