top cyclists in Europe.

But when the 28-year-old Bermudian leaves for Spain on Thursday, culture, climate and conditioning will rank right up there in importance with competition.

Hubbard, who was last week dropped from his Italian professional team, will divulge his plans at a press conference this afternoon. In the meantime, Looby, arguably the Island's number two cyclist behind Hubbard, is packing his three new bikes for races unknown.

"I'm just dying to get to Europe,'' said Looby, who has spent the past three winters riding in California.

Never mind that he doesn't have a team, doesn't know which events he'll be in and, aside from Kelly, the maker of his bikes, doesn't have a true sponsor.

Looby says he's going to Spain -- in particular, Sotogrande, about ten miles from Gibraltar -- because, well, it's there.

"To me, it's not a big deal,'' he shrugs. "I just like to go out on a limb.

That's just me.'' He is funding the trip, which he anticipates will last until May, through his own savings and private donations from other Bermudians.

The purpose of the trip: Education. He wants to learn Spanish, soak up some atmosphere, push himself to the limit, and, hopefully, get some warmer weather.

It's not unlike last summer, when he was part of the Bermuda squad that took part in the Mini-Nations World Championship in Cuba, a trip he now calls "awesome.'' "Cuba was something to appreciate and I'm sure that's something I'm going to get from Spain,'' he said.

Mostly, though, he's looking forward to throwing himself against tough domestic Spanish riders.

He is under no illusion about what is in store from him. He is merely "keeping his fingers crossed'' that he can finish high in some races, do better next year, earn sponsorship and perhaps even get to the Olympics.

"If it wasn't a test, I probably wouldn't go,'' he said.

"I've talked to Elliot, and if my guess is pretty accurate, I'll be racing against guys who are trying to get to Elliot's level, which is the elite level, and I can only benefit from that.'' And at 28, he knows he's nearing an age where he must soon make a move or else ride forever recreationally on the Island. But with a Bachelor of Communications degree to his name, he's not adverse to that.

Looby expects to compete mostly in road races with some track work thrown in.

It was on the track that he won a bronze medal in Cuba.

As a two-time national hill climb champion, he's also looking forward to the mountains of Spain, if only for self satisfaction.

"People say big people can't climb,'' the 6-foot-3, 180-pound Looby said. His custom-made Kelly -- which takes into account Looby's impossibly long legs and arms -- will help, just as, he said, the different bikes he has for time trials and pursuits. Together, they're worth more than $10,000.

With three months of hard training behind him, Looby figures to be in fine form to represent Bermuda's newly-established national team in the CAC Games come August.

"A step in the right direction,'' he calls the formation of a national squad.

MACINNIS LOOBY -- The Island's number two cyclist this week takes his new wheels to Spain for three months of intensive training and cultural educational.