Bermuda Bicycle Association are planning to send a two-man team to the Pan American Championships in Colombia later this month.

Kris Hedges and Geri Mewett, who both ride at semi-pro level in the US, have been pencilled in to represent the Island in the event to be held in Medellin from August 20 to 26.

For Hedges, who retained his national road race title last Sunday, it will be another chance to impress after his brilliant ride to finish fourth in the World B Championships in China in June.

And for former Olympic swimmer Mewett, it will be a chance to represent the Island in a major championships as a cyclist, an opportunity cruelly denied him a week before he was due to compete in China.

On that occasion, cycling's world governing body UCI ruled him ineligible for the World Bs, because he was riding at too high a standard with his team Defeet Lemond.

Ironically, Hedges rides at a similar standard with Snow Valley, but escaped the same fate as Mewett, because his team was not registered with the UCI.

Both riders are keen to compete in Colombia, against opponents like the mighty US and Canada, but Mewett's availability has yet to be confirmed.

All being well, 21-year-old Hedges will compete in the under-23 road race over a distance of 175.6 kilometres, while Mewett will ride in the 228.1 kilometre elite men's road race.

Whether Mewett will also compete in the time trial has yet to be decided.

National cycling coach Greg Hopkins said competition at the Pan Ams would be tough and that the experience would help the Island's two top cyclists with their preparation for next year's Commonwealth Games.

"It's going to be a very high standard with the likes of the US and Canada involved," said Hopkins. "The US won't be sending riders like Lance Armstrong or George Hincapie, but they will have a strong team.

"Both Geri and Kris are riding at the top level in the US and I'm sure they will do well."

He added that both riders needed to put together a "resume of good results" between now and the New Year to qualify for the Commonwealths in Manchester next July.

With kidnappings of foreigners and violence a major problem in Colombia, and the name of the mountain city of Medellin synonymous with drug cartels, Hopkins said there was concern for the safety of the cyclists and accompanying team manager Jennifer Hedges.

"There is a little bit of concern about security in Colombia, but it is clear from the information we have been sent and what we have been told that the organisers are going out of their way to make it a successful event," said Hopkins.