National Road Race Championships.

The event takes place at the US Naval Air Station in St. David's beginning at 8 a.m.

Several of the Island's top riders are expected to answer the starter's pistol, although defending champion Elliot Hubbard -- currently competing in France -- will not be part of the line-up and nor will Heritage Day champion McInnes Looby who remains at his training base in California.

Among the favourites in the 75-mile race will be Greg Hopkins, enjoying one of his finest seasons. The National Time Trial champion and Bermuda Grand Prix winner is known to excel in multi-stage events involving the time trial, his specialty. But if the field stays together it is unlikely he'll be able to match top sprinters like Sinclair Packwood, Stephane Carpentier, Damion Wilson and Tim Palmer.

Packwood has also soared this year, with a sparkling third-place finish in the National Time Trial championships.

Carpentier has been nursing a sore knee for most of the season, but could be a threat especially if the race comes down to a sprint. Wilson, runner-up to Packwood in the Front Street Sprint Championships, is also considered a strong sprinter.

Wilson's only question mark is his ability to complete the gruelling course.

He dropped out of the Time Trial championships after two laps and has also suffered a couple of did-not-finishes this season.

Palmer has been in strong form and has proven his ability to go with the sprinters.

In the category three race Paul Shrubb is a strong favourite while veterans Richard Mason and Vic Ball should battle for top honours. Newcomers Aaron Schindler and Greg Battersbee are the two competitors to watch in the novice division.

Category three riders, veterans and novices will race over 50 miles.

Melanie Claude is the strong favourite in the women's division, especially since Shona Palmer is not expected to compete as she prepares for next week's National Triathlon championships.

The junior one and two race over 28 miles should be a battle between Duncan Simons and Kris Hedges. Hedges, the winner of last week's time trial, has proven his strength but Simons' timing and sprinting ability has always been sharp.