This year's Sinclair Packwood Memorial Cycle Race could be one of the most open in many years.

The absence of three-time defending champion Kris Hedges - remaining in the US for his graduation on the May 24 weekend - and many other overseas-based riders makes it anyone's guess which of the locally-based cyclists will clinch the coveted title.

A number of names - Jean-Nicolas Bertrand, Matthew Herring, Karl Outerbridge, Jason Krupp, Andy Kain and Garth Thompson included - have come to the fore as major contenders in the event which this year takes place on the May 26 bank holiday.

Following his rare double at the IBC Front Street Cycle Races earlier this year in the one-hour criterium and the senior sprint, Bertrand - known for his fast finishing - is perhaps the most favoured.

"I think my chances are just as good as everybody else's. It's a bike race and anything can happen.

"Doing the double has definitely boosted my morale a lot. It's showed that I have a strong sprint and if it comes down to a sprint then I am confident. That's what I'd like to happen, really," said the 18-year-old.

Another teenager, Herring, also fancies his chances in the annual road-racing showpiece.

It's a very short race, a sprinter's race. Not many people will be able to get off the front so hopefully I will be all right in a sprint. That's one of my strengths.

"I think my chances of winning are just as good as anybody else. Cycling is one of those sports that anything can happen on the day - anything," noted the 16-year-old, who has competed in the race since he was ten.

Kain agrees the race is up for grabs and predicts anyone in the main pack at the end could cross the line first.

"I think it will be a very close race; aggressive and serious. I think it will be decided between the round-about and the (stop) lights at the National Stadium.

"Because it's such a short race, anyone who has a good day could be there to sprint for the finish, depending on how the race unfolds coming up over Burnt House Hill, which may or may not separate some people.

"It's really a sprinter's race so I would agree with the likes of Jean Bertrand, Matthew Herring, Jason Krupp, Karl Outerbridge and Earl Godfrey (as strong contenders) - those guys are the real sprinters.

"This year, these short races haven't been my forte but I'd like to have a strong performance so if I can be there at the end - when we turn left onto Montpelier Road - then we'll see," said Kain who would be pleased to be in the top five.

The absence of overseas competitors Hedges, Geri Mewett and Wayne Scott, he believes will alter the race's character.

"I think it will be a different race; highly contested. The overseas riders are riding every day at a higher level than we get to locally and they have ability to stretch out and contest it among themselves.

"In their absence, it will certainly be as competitive among the local riders but it probably won't be as fast."

Despite his participation in the classic, Kain - who turned 38 on Monday - is really focusing on the national road race a few weeks later and May 24 is part of his build-up to that.

"I work with Greg Hopkins on a daily basis and we do two hard workouts a week. We've just started some motor-pacing (following a scooter which helps cut the wind and gets you used to riding at a speed that's faster than you would normally ride by yourself)," he explained.

Fellow cyclists Herring and Bertrand are also practising hard; the latter divulging he has "covered the course a couple times" and is doing "some hills".

Given all this hard work and sweat, Bertrand says his winning would not be diluted by the non-participation of some of Bermuda's ace riders.

"Of course if the riders from abroad were here then the event would be more competitive and prestigious. But winning May 24 is a great achievement whether top competition is here or not because it's the race everybody wants to do, so everybody in it is in top form."