takes on the best riders in the America's during next month's Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

It was hoped that at least one other local rider -- MacInnis Looby -- would join Hubbard for the venture. But Looby has had trouble reaching the qualifying standard and with the deadline for submissions to the Bermuda Olympic Association just a week away, he would seem to have come up short.

A similar scenario confronted Hubbard during last year's Commonwealth Games in Canada, where he rode without help from any team-mates unlike most of the other riders competing.

Still, Bermuda's Rider-of-the-Year was able to place 24th, the best ever finish for a local rider in a world class event.

Viewing the upcoming Games from his base in southern France yesterday, Hubbard was optimistic of a good showing, saying that he would be satisfied with a place among the top 25 percent.

"I'll be at a direct disadvantage having no team-mates and another factor counting against me is the flat course, which is not my strong point,'' said Hubbard, whose strengths lie in his affinity for climbing and his endurance.

"Obviously the riders from the host country will be familiar with the course and the Americans and Colombians have strong teams, so it'll be a fairly tough field.

"I'll have to ride smartly and economise my efforts and hopefully I'll hold my own.'' Another negative is the fact that the French season has not yet started, which means that Hubbard, who rides for the Mimosa Sprint Mandelieu team, and his new coach Dominique Chignoli have had to devise a special training regimen in order to ensure that the Bermudian is in top form in time for the Games.

However, he is expecting to have at least 10 races under his belt between February 18, when he takes part in the Grand Prix de la Ville de Cannes, and his leaving date, March 14.

And following his diversion south Hubbard will take aim at the French circuit and his goal of one day achieving full professional status -- he is presently categorised as a semi-pro, although he rides full-time.

"I'll be targeting some of the classics here in France with a view to peaking for the World Championships at the end of the season and then the Olympics in '96, which I hope will springboard me to professional status.'' In the meantime he'll continue to train, riding 650 kilometres a week, combining interval work, speed work, endurance and recovery techniques as he strives to hone his craft.

Elliott Hubbard