Wayne Scott cannot wait to pit his wits against the might of the crack US Postal team at this year's CD&P Grand Prix.

Scott, who lives in Orlando, Florida, is one of Bermuda's top cyclists and is currently tuning up for the Island's blue riband event which takes place between September 20 and 24.

He will have his work cut out if he is to mount a serious challenge to George Hincapie and Tyler Hamilton, team-mates of cycling legend Lance Armstrong who helped him record his third successive victory in this year's Tour De France, and Dylan Casey, who is expected to be among the favourites to lift the overall title.

However, despite the odds being stacked against him, Scott, who competed for Bermuda in the World B Championships in China earlier this year, said he would not be overawed by the presence of the trio.

"Of course it changes things. There's no doubt you know who they are. If you are in a race and you look up and it's a US Postal jersey next to you it's a bit like 'Wow'. . . ," he said.

"But myself, I am less inclined to ride defensively. You mentally want to step up to that level and just challenge yourself because basically it's an opportunity you don't have every day. You want to take the maximum advantage from it.

"I am not intimidated to ride with that level of rider but on the other hand I am a realist as well and I recognise their professionalism and that they are in a completely different category. I look at it as just an awesome opportunity to improve myself.

"I am not looking forward to the pain. It's gonna hurt. There will be a lot of suffering. But at the same time, I am looking forward to the challenge."

However, Scott said he and the other local riders had to temper their enthusiasm somewhat if they were to stay the distance. "You have to keep in mind what you are dealing with and not let your excitement get the better of you," he said.

While the focus will undoubtedly be on the overseas contingent Scott said he hoped the locals would come and support the home-grown riders - riders who were helping to put Bermuda on the cycling map.

"I think there are some good cyclists in Bermuda and for an island that small there is a great deal of talent. You look at what Elliott (Hubbard) has done and you look at people like Kris (Hedges) and Geri (Mewett) who are out here riding and you look at the young guys like Tyler Butterfield coming up," he said, adding he hoped others riders would use events like the Grand Prix to follow in their footsteps.

"I think it will be very beneficial for Bermuda riders to take advantage of events like this to basically get an idea of how much more work they need to do," he said. "I am racing here in Florida and it's worlds apart from racing locally on the Island. It is a whole other level."