It was confirmed yesterday that top cyclist Tyler Butterfield will not be returning home to compete in the CD&P Bermuda Grand Prix next week ? though the professional team he has just signed for will be making an appearance.

Butterfield ? who won the prestigious local cycling title two years ago in sensational style ? will be staying in Europe until the end of the year riding with amateur team Vendee-U before beginning his professional contract with a top-ranking American team managed by SlipStream Sports.

However organisers have revealed that his soon-to-be team will be taking part and will include high-flying American Brad Huff who recently won the US national criterium championships.

Team manager Jonathan Vaughters ? a former US Postal team member and a team-mate of seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong ? will be in Bermuda as well.

Vaughters was the guest speaker last year at the Bermuda Bicycle Association annual awards dinner and is regular visitor to the Island to engage in his other passion, fishing.

The Grand Prix kicks off in earnest next Thursday with four days of high-octane pedal action promised all across the Island.