Tyler Butterfield has put aside his May 24th Derby ambitions for a year to focus on his preparations for the Olympic Games to be held in London in 2012.Currently training in France with members of the Australian national team, the former Athlete of the Year and runner-up to Chris Estwanik in last year’s May 24 race is fully focused on two upcoming triathlons in a new series called 5150 IM Triathlon to be held in Germany and Austria.The competitions are both over Olympic distances 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run and will provide Butterfield with a good springboard in his build-up the London Games.The Bermudian has been hampered in his training over the last year after suffering shin splints.“I have two races, in roughly three weeks from now and the other is a week later,” said Butterfield. “Both are Olympic distances so quite short, and part of a new series call 5150 IM Triathlons as the total distance is 51.5 kilometres“This is the type of racing I need as a build-up to try and make the London Games as it is the same distance and good solid racing makes you stronger and faster.“As they say there is no better training than racing.“I am currently in France training with Brad Kahlefeldt and some of the other Australian national team members and have been for the past six weeks so things are starting to come together.“Brad is a good friend and also was world number three last year for the 2010 season and third in the World Championships, so he is one of the best to train with.”Although the Bermuda star won’t be able to pound the pavement with the likes of Chris Estwanik and Lamont Marshall for bragging rights next Tuesday, he insisted he would be back to compete for honours at some point in his career.“Unfortunately because of the races here in Europe and the calendar this year to try to qualify for the Olympics I knew I would not be able to get home to run the May 24th Derby this year and if I make the Games or am close, I’m not sure if in 2012 I will be able to either. However, I will be back one day.“It is a great race and one I will race many more times, hopefully to try and win one day and I’m sure many other times as I get older just to finish, it is a special race for Bermuda.”Commenting on the changes being made to this year’s Derby, Butterfield reckoned the addition of tourists to the fold shouldn’t deter residents from still participating and enjoying the annual spectacle and showing why Bermuda Day is so coveted by many.“As for the changes, I think it is human nature to reject change at first with anything, but after a while most people will come to see the races as it always has been a great race and day for Bermuda.“Now we get the chance to show it off to the world. It will always be a special race for me and for many Bermudians, regardless of whether tourists run it with us or not.“I know there will always a Bermudian rivalry within the locals, whether it is for the first place trophy or within a group of friends that have signed up to race without doing much training before. That is what makes the day so special, is it is for everyone to enjoy.”