A five-member team has been assembled to carry Bermuda’s flag in mountain biking at the Island Games.The Bermuda Bicycle Association squad consists of Phil Trussell, Brian Steinhoff, Che'quan Richardson, Deshi Smith and Mark Hatherley.Cyclists will ride in two races a shorter technical course in a criterium and then a longer cross-country event to be held at Ferry Reach Park.BBA president Peter Dunne admitted the local team would face tough competition but believed the team’s knowledge of the courses would put them on the right path.“Medalling will be a big stretch as the mountain biking competitions, as is the case for all cycling events in Island Games, are of a very high level,” he said. “With that being said, course knowledge and sleeping in their own beds will be a big help to our guys.“They all know that this will be the toughest race of their careers so far and they have made the commitment to be at their peak fitness come July.“So with perfect conditions we can hope that they can deliver strong results and demonstrate that they can be competitive at this level.”Seventeen-year-old Smith won the junior national mountain bike championship title and Richardson earned the national champion title as the first Bermudian in the adult championship race. Smith is a student at Bermuda Institute and Richardson studies at Bermuda College.Hatherley, known mainly for his exploits in road racing, has lifted the mountain bike national title several times.Trussell, originally from Isle of Man, is an experienced mountain bike racer and is familiar with some of the competitors from his home island, who will be travelling to Bermuda in July.Steinhoff has recently returned to the local racing scene and is known for his technical abilities, a skill he is hoping to help develop further in his younger teammates.Still to be named are the teams for men and women in road racing, with an announcement of the five men and three women expected on May 27.