taking part in the Grand Prix.

Mewett will fly in from his home in Knoxville, Tennessee, to gauge his progress against the best, after abandoning the pool for the bike saddle.

The 24-year-old, who swam for the Island at the Barcelona Olympics of 1992 is hellbent on becoming a Olympic cyclist at next year's Sydney Games.

Back in Tennessee, Mewett has raised his level by training with one of the most resilient in the business, Kent Bostick.

Bostick, now in his 40s, who lives close by Mewett, is still winning races with Team Shaklee, enabling him to laugh off nicknames like `Bostisaurus'.

The American holds 12 career national titles, two world records and eight national records and has more than 300 career victories to his name. And Bostick may compete against Mewett in the Grand Prix next week.

Mewett said: "For me, right now, my goal is to try and make Sydney in 2000.

It's my main focus, but if something else happens where I get a ride with a pro or semi-pro team, then great, I'd love that.'' The Grand Prix will certainly put Mewett in the shop window and an impressive performance could give him the break he needs to move into cycling's paid ranks.

Tips from Bostick, coupled with hard work and a fair degree of natural ability have gained superb results already this year.

Proving to national coach Greg Hopkins that he is good enough to be considered for the Island team, Mewett obliterated a field of Bermuda's best cyclists to cruise to victory in the Natioanl Road Race Championships in June.

Hopkins will be watching Mewett as closely as anybody next week, as selection time approaches for the Bermuda team to travel to the world B championships in Uruguay in November.

"We want to see how he fares riding in a top-level race and we know he will not disappoint us,'' said Hopkins.

National time trial champion Hedges may yet race in the Grand Prix as well, but will decide next week.