add some excitement to Sunday's Hill Climb Challenge at the Southampton Princess Hotel.

The Island's leading rider recently completed the 1998 season with his US professional team, Navigators, with a successful trip to Peru where his team-mate Skip Spangleburgh finished second overall in a major race.

In the history of the popular Hill Climb, Hubbard is the only rider to have broken the one minute mark, which he achieved in 1996 when he completed the 700 metre climb in 57 seconds.

He knocked five seconds off the previous best mark and this year will attempt to break his two-year record. But while he guns for the record, his will be an exhibition ride only with the remaining cyclists vying for the title of King of the Mountain.

It will be a rare appearance on local soil for Hubbard and his presence will add extra interest to the event as McInnis Looby puts his title on the line.

"It is a great opportunity for the public to actually see Elliot in action,'' said organiser Greg Hopkins. "It does not happen too often and he definitely adds excitement to any event.'' As for the decision not to enter Hubbard against the Island's other riders, Hopkins said: "Elliot does not want people to feel that as a professional cyclist he is home to take advantage of amateur riders and he is quite happy to keep out of the competition proper.

"However, if the general consensus from the other riders is that they would like to go up against him, then I am sure he would oblige.'' Hubbard can be expected to put on a show and is keen to lower his already impressive record. Also likely to clock fast times are Looby, who has shown good form since his return from the Commonwealth Games, and powerhouse Earl Godfrey who, in a rare appearance last year, took second place.

In other categories, there are likely to be some close duels with teenagers Tyler Butterfield and Jonathan Herring expected to be on the start line and a tough battle is sure to take place in the veterans category with the perennial favourite and record holder, Vic Ball, likely to be challenged by Paulo Medeiros and newcomer Peter Eccles.

The event, organised by Bermuda Bicycle Association, gets underway at 9.00 a.m. on Sunday with registration forms available at Winners Edge.