Bermuda could be used for winter training by top cyclists and triathletes from Italy.

Marco Damiani, who coaches triathletes and cyclists and is holding a cycling clinic for local youngsters at the former US Naval Base this week, sees Bermuda as the perfect location for training because of the climate.

"The idea is to organise training weeks all around the world and train during the winter time,'' said Damiani, who was invited here by Bermuda Bicycling Association.

"Where we live in northern Italy is really cold and foggy and it's hard to train there, so we try to go somewhere where the weather is good. Maybe we could do the same here, maybe March or April when the weather starts to get hot here.

"The training week would be for cyclists, triathletes, runners, swimmers.. .everything you do outdoors. I'll talk to Greg (Hopkins) and keep in touch and see what we can do.'' Damiani, 33, is still a national team triathlete and competes in long distance triathlons in Europe as well as the World Championships.

"I mainly compete in long distances and I train people for long distances,'' Damiani explained.

He is also is a qualified coach and is offering his knowledge to about 30 youngsters during the cycling clinic he has been holding since Saturday. They finish tomorrow before Damiani departs on Friday.

"Cycling has always been my best discipline,'' said Damiani. "I did a few mountain bike races and did the best (triathlon) time as a non-professional in Hawaii in 1993 and had the 18th best time overall.

"To be a good cyclist you have to do it when you are little. I started with triathlon at the age of 22. I was a soccer player before, and it was too late for me to get involved in cycling.'' Damiani is making the clinics for the youngsters -- who range in age from seven to the more experienced cyclists like teenager Jonathan Herring -- as interesting as possible as he teaches them the mechanics of the sport.

Yesterday, when one of the youngsters suffered a flat tyre he showed them how to make the repairs.

"They are kids and want to play because they have a lot of energy. So what I try to do is let them play but at the same time do some training and exercises and tell them to keep drinking because water is important,'' said the Italian.

"I took a certificate in personal training in Los Angeles last year and did a lot of courses in Italy and now I'm a qualified triathlon coach.'' Damiani also said there was the possibility of bringing a club team here to compete in the Grand Prix next year, though May is usually a busy month for cycling in Italy.

"In May our cycling season starts, there are a lot of races going on, so the time is not really good,'' he said.

"It's a great stimulation when you go someplace like Bermuda. You have such beautiful beaches, so it could be vacation and training. You could enjoy the Island, train and then race.

"After 10 years (competing) I can tell you, you need a balance -- race, train, relax and enjoy the place where you are.'' Young cyclists and triathletes are continuing to gain experience overseas, with Nuri Latham flying out to Boulder, Colorado this week for the week-long Carpenter Phinney Cycling Camp.

Latham's name was put forward by the BBA for a grant from Government, and the funds will be used for this trip. Last year Kris and Trevor Hedges, Tyler Butterfield and Jonathan Herring went to the same camp.

Herring will fly out this week to join Butterfield to compete in the US Triathlon Championships in Florida.