in Martinee.

Hubbard, part of the 10-man team representing the Cote d'Azur region, left Monton yesterday on the 17-hour drive to Martinee. There, he and his teammates will battle against nearly 200 other riders for individual and team honours over the 135-kilometre course.

However, it promises to be a tough test with the relatively flat course likely to favour the sprinters, while the Cote d'Azur squad prefers to race on the mountains.

The young Bermudian will be looking to avoid the mechanical problems that have dogged him throughout the year. The latest mishap occurred last week at the Regional Cote d'Azur Championships when broken handlebars forced his withdrawal at the 30-kilometre mark.