Killington Stage Race this week in Vermont.

The event is the largest stage race in the United States with five stages and it is regarded as being second only to the Tour du Pont in quality of field.

Hubbard placed a creditable 19th out of a field of 170 during Thursday's prologue time trial, clocking 10 minutes, 50 seconds along a gruelling 3.4 mile uphill course which pitted riders individually against the clock.

Winner of the stage was defending champion Frank McCormack of the professional Saturn team, who was timed in 9:43. McCormack is also the current U.S. Pro champion.

Hubbard is looking to repeat his fine showing at the event in the Green Mountain State a year ago, when he finished as first amateur and fifth overall in a field comprising most of the top American professionals.

Compared to 1995, Thursday's performance placed the Bermudian two places ahead, with his stronger events still to come -- the mountainous road races.

Yesterday had Hubbard racing in the second stage, the 111 mile Sunrise Road Race, featuring several climbs and high speed descent, including one climb requiring competitors to go from 850 to 1,400 feet in just five miles.

Today the riders face another 104 miles included in the American Express Road Race, which features the `Beast', a five mile climb from 475 feet to a daunting 2,100 feet, as well as two other six mile climbs with grades of up to 15 percent.

A tight .8 mile criterium, with six technical turns over a total of 45 miles follows tomorrow, while the `road show' culminates on Monday with the 98 mile SAAB Road Race.

Registration for Sunday's BBA 25-mile Road Race in St. David's will take place at 8.30 a.m., with the race commencing at 9.00 a.m.