The Heritage Day bike race, now almost as big an attraction as the day's Marathon Derby, has gone through some major changes in its 16-year history.

Starting off as something of a procession many years ago when the Police and Heritage Day organisers would not let the Island's cyclists `race' the event, the two-wheeled enthusiasts worked tirelessly to convince authorities to release the leash that held them back from showcasing their talents to the thousands of spectators along the route.

In 1987 that finally happened, due in the main to the work of the man who the race is now named in memory of - two-time winner Sinclair Packwood. His untimely death in 1999 shocked and saddened the cycling community.

For the first ten years the race was renowned for its pack finishes on Cedar Avenue, and with the powerful sprinters ruling the day the thought of anyone `breaking away' from the field was regarded by many as mere fantasy.

Then in 1997, when all the pundits were putting their money on the favourite last-minute speedsters again, veteran Jeff Payne shocked everyone when he formed a two-man break at Somerset Bridge, and was never seen again until the finish line celebrations, leaving the rest of the field with heads hanging in disbelief at what had happened.

The myth was shattered and from that day forward, the most prestigious title in local cycling was never the same again.

The following year, MacInnis Looby, a winner in 1995, broke away on East Broadway to ride unchallenged to the finish, and to rub salt into the sprinters wounds, Greg Hopkins made his escape in 1999 at Burnt House Hill riding to a solo victory. This was the first year the event was held under the title of Sinclair Packwood Memorial Road Race.

Since then, one man, Kris Hedges, has made the race his own with back to back wins in 2000 and 2001 - a feat matched only by Packwood himself in 1992 and 1993.

This Friday the US-based Snow Valley rider, who will lead the Island's cyclists at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in July, hopes to ride into the history books as the first competitor to win three editions of the event, consecutively at that.

However, the 22 year old Bermudian will not have it all his own way with professional triathlete Tyler Buttefield back on the Island for his preparations for the Commonwealth Games, and Steve Millington, the most dominant locally based rider for the past two years both riding strongly, internationally and in Bermuda this year.

Second to Hedges by half a wheel last year, third in 2000 and second in 1999, Millington is determined to stand on top of the podium on Friday, but is well aware of the task at hand.

"Like everyone else, I would really like to win the event, especially having come so close in the past. It really is a special race," said Millington.

Without revealing his race strategy he clearly would prefer the race to be decided before a sprint finish on Frog Lane.

"Everyone is going to be watching Kris. I think there are a number of opportunities for attacks. If there is a group of four or five at the front it will be difficult for him to follow everything. I'm not really a sprinter but if it comes down to it, I feel I have the experience to be a factor."

Butterfield is the only other rider to push Hedges to the finish, after trading leads with him in 2000 and the 19-year-old, who plans to run the Marathon Derby after the ride, earlier this week made it clear it is a title he would dearly like to add to his resume.

"It's something that I have always looked at as the biggest event for Bermuda," he said, adding: "There is a lot of hype surrounding it, even though it's such a short race. If I had to pick a goal in Bermuda, this is one I would choose."

Hedges believes that the key to his success will be to make the race as hard as he can and leave nothing to chance.

"I am used to racing very hard in the US and this is a short race. I know I will be watched and had not planned to go out too hard at the start, but I hear Tyler wants it to be a fast race and I think it will go from the gun."

Clearly confident in his own ability, the quietly spoken Hedges does not underestimate his competition. "Steve is in really good shape and so is Tyler. I hear Karl (Outerbridge) is riding well too. I will be watching them just as they are me, but I don't think it will come down to a tactical race. It's just going to be very hard."

With Outerbridge riding strongly this season, to add to the mix, there are few that believe there will be more than four riders contesting the race at the finish.