There must be something in the Quebec air that agrees with Melanie Claude.

Fresh from her victory in the Coupe Des Ameriques stage event in July, Claude, Bermuda's top female cyclist, had more success in the Canadian province on the weekend when she placed 14th in the Canadian Female International Grand Prix.

But that's where the comparisons in the two events end. For while one event featured riders in the Masters category, the other involved some of the top female riders in the world.

"The courses I did on this race were a lot harder, longer and with a higher calibre field,'' Claude pointed out yesterday.

"In the race a month ago there were no pros and this race I just did was all pros, an elite race.'' Claude performed well enough to impress the French national coach who has extended an invitation for her to compete in the women's version of the Tour de France next year.

Her immediate focus, however, will be the Killington stage race this weekend in Vermont where she will celebrate her 38th birthday. That will be followed by the Conyers, Dill and Pearman Grand Prix in Bermuda on the third weekend of September, and then the World B Championships in Uruguay in November.

Others from Bermuda who will also be competing at Killington are veteran Jeff Payne, Elliot Hubbard with his Navigators team and Geri Mewett who is now based in Texas and will be riding on a team. It's been a good first year for former triathlete Claude since she decided to concentrate solely on cycling.

And she admits she's pleased with the level she's reached.

"Very pleased, I think a lot of credit goes to the senior male riders here because they are letting me train with them,'' said Claude.

"I'm gaining a lot of experience from riding with them. I enjoy riding with the men but it would be nice to have more females there. But riding with the men has prepared me to ride with the female pros.

"I would like to do well in the local Grand Prix because we've got quite a few pro females coming down.'' Added Claude: "This is my first year focusing strictly on cycling and I hope to see better results in the years to come.'' Claude admitted the support of her employers, Sovereign Risk, and that of husband Paul had also been crucial as she sought more international exposure.

"They give me the leverage to train and permission to go away and race,'' said Claude, who, like other top local athletes venturing overseas, noted the costs were mounting.

"There's a financial burden involved and it restricts me on how many races I can do overseas.

"My husband, who is also my coach, my mechanic, masseuse, you name it, he and I are going to concentrate in the next few months to try to get some sponsorship. Part of the reason for doing the last race was to get some publicity.

"We have obviously caught the eye of the French coach and the Canadian coach as far as my capabilities are concerned and they are showing some interest in probably having me be a part of their teams if I want to race in Europe. But I would still need the funds to be able to participate in those events.

"Even with the World B Championships in Uruguay, even though the national squad is being sent away, the participants still have to raise at least $10,000. If we can't it has to come out of our pockets. It's sad that we're representing the country but still need to raise money.'' Now Claude also has to factor the women's Tour de France into her schedule for next year.

"I wasn't expecting it, initially it wasn't my goal for next year,'' she revealed.

"I'm trying to get more exposure overseas so that I can team up with an international team and compete in other races around the world for Bermuda.'' Claude's performance in Quebec was all the more impressive as she was the third oldest in the field...and an amateur at that with little international experience.

"I still have quite a ways to go, but with me placing 14th in a field of 50 riders I think it is an indication in itself that I'm up there with them,'' she stated.

"I'm obviously not at the top yet, but with this being my first year strictly focusing on cycling, I've got time to build myself up. Going away and racing gives me an indication as to where I stand and how much work I still need to do to get further up there.

"I have to be realistic in that I'm not a pro, I do not ride full time, I do work and look after kids, so I have to juggle my time carefully.'' Jeff Payne: Will be competing in the Masters category at the Killington Stage Race this weekend in Vermont