While Elliot Hubbard prepares for a return to Europe, Bermuda's other leading cyclist, MacInnis Looby, bides his time on the Island, while training for a third season with California-based Team Extreme.

It was revealed on Wednesday that Hubbard had agreed to a professional cycling contract with one of Italy's top teams, AKI-Gipiemme of Monaco, making him Bermuda's first ever professional cyclist.

The signing sets Hubbard up for competition among the major World Cup races and others such as the Tour of Italy, Tour of Spain and the prestigious Tour de France.

And this week Looby lent his support to his countryman, adding that he would continue to work hard towards a similar goal.

"It's very encouraging and very positive to see something like that happen for him, the guy's been working hard and certainly deserves it,'' said Looby, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise among the ranks of local cycling since taking up the sport three years ago.

"When I saw the story about Elliot in the paper I couldn't believe it, because the team he's going to I believe is in the top 10 on the European team circuit. So it's a major, major team and he'll be racing with the big boys like (Miguel) Indurain and all of that on a regular basis.

"It's what you want and what you work hard for as a cyclist and he got it. I almost feel like I got it, it's so exciting to see something like that happen for one of our guys.'' However, while Hubbard has shown an affinity for the multi-stage type events with strength among the climbs, Looby prefers longer, more intense, single races.

And while he would eventually like to pick up a pro contract and perhaps move over to Europe, Looby expressed a degree of satisfaction with his current status as an amateur rider for Team Extreme, which also contains another Bermudian, Dana Henry.

"Yes, I would like to go to Europe eventually, but Elliot wants to do major tours and, right now, I don't see myself as a person to do major tours. Rather I feel more comfortable with the one day classic type races, the long one-day races,'' said Looby, who has competed twice in the Killington Stage Race in Vermont, as well as the Tour de Toona.

"I seem to do better at long, hard races where you have to put out more of an effort in one day, as opposed to stretching it out for days at a time.

"I'm still new to the sport and that is where I've had success at and I'm not sure yet what my body can do.

"It's just a matter of putting in your time, paying your dues and working hard. As long as I stick to the wicket then things should happen for me.'' This Sunday there is the matter of the National Time Trial Championships that start and finish at Clearwater Beach, St. David's (8 a.m.), where Looby enters as the favourite.

Set to offer challenges to the lanky rider are Henry, as well as rising young stars Kris and Trevor Hedges.

A close affair could unfurl among the women, with Melanie Claude, Shona Palmer, Julia Hawley and Kim Mason expected on the start line.

Palmer should stand as the favourite, but any slip could let either of the others in for a shot at winning.

MACINNIS LOOBY -- `It's a matter of putting in your time and paying your dues.'