rider on the Pennsylvania-based Tri-State Velo team after yet another scintillating performance over the weekend against some of the world's top category one and two professionals.

Competitors came from such countries as Australia, England, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, but only one proved better than 21-year-old Hubbard.

After raising eyebrows with his 25th place finish at the prestigious Tour De Toona more than a week ago -- he was the only rider among the Velo team to complete the five-stage affair -- the Bermudian further impressed by finishing second during Friday and Saturday's Frigidaire Cycling Classic held in Ohio.

Friday's 300 metre street sprint did little to highlight Hubbard's strengths, but Saturday witnessed him back in his element in a 40-mile criterion which featured several steep upgrades as part of a King of the Mountain competition.

Hubbard took an immediate liking to the hilly course and showed his climbing prowess, placing second in the King of the Mountain.

He eventually placed second overall to another Pennsylvania-based rider, Phil Cable, earning $800 for his efforts.

The runner-up position added to three other second-place finishes since Hubbard's recent move from Europe, as well as a first and the Tour De Toona result.

Veteran local rider Greg Hopkins, a strong supporter of Hubbard, said yesterday it would be just a matter of time before Hubbard was picked up by an established professional team.

"He's definitely up there, it's just a matter of him getting noticed by one of the bigger outfits,'' said Hopkins. "He's racing at the pro level against many of the best riders in America and I can see him being picked up.'' Hubbard was also due to have raced in this past Sunday's US Professional Criterion Championships.