Kris Hedges would like nothing better than to confirm his decision to stay with Team Snow Valley by leading the outfit to glory at next week's Conyers, Dill and Pearman Grand Prix.

While competing for Bermuda at the Commonwealth Games in July, the Island's number one rider was mulling over moving to Europe in a bid to test himself against a higher level of competition.

However, Snow Valley chiefs appear to be set to match Hedges' enthusiasm for racing by expanding their outfit and setting themselves bigger goals.

As a result, Hedges says he is likely to stay with the Maryland-based team for at least the next 12 months.

"It is still up in the air a little bit but it probably looks like I'll be riding here again with Snow Valley," he said yesterday. "We are upping the programme a little bit in the sense that we are looking to grow in numbers.

"We are going to keep the seven-man elite team but there is going to be somewhat of a second tier elite team so that they can do more local events and keep the main sponsor, Snow Valley, happy.

"We are very constricted by Snow Valley's sponsorship, although it's a great thing. Its coverage is pretty much limited to Maryland and the Detroit area.

"Snow Valley is looking for other sponsors to alleviate that. If another major sponsor came along there would not be so much of a compulsion to do the local races."

Hedges has developed a good relationship with TSV coach Brian Walton and that is central to his considering staying with the team.

"Brian wants the programme to expand and is hoping, if not next year then the year after, to be taking trips to Europe and maybe go into Division Three. But it's all a matter of money at the end of the day."

For now, then, talk of moving continents has been put on the back burner.

"Unless something comes up over the next couple of weeks that is very positive (I will stay)," said Hedges. "Obviously if that happens I'll weigh my options but as of now I am kind of leaning towards staying put for another year.

"Although I'll be staying put in the sense I'll still be with Snow Valley, hopefully I won't be doing the same race calendar. I'll be doing a stronger calendar with a stronger team."

Hedges described his his partnership with TSV as `a nice fit'.

"Not unless something major comes along would I want to jump ship straight away," he said. "I know Brian wants to expand the team and take it to new places and it will be good to be there at start of all that."

The Grand Prix begins next Thursday with the focal point of the event, the Front Street Grand Prix. It continues on Friday with the time trial and concludes with the road race on Saturday and Sunday.

It promises to be the biggest ever with organisers revealing that they had to close the door on entries.

As a result Hedges and his team of Jonathan Wirsing, Scott Zwizanski, Mark Ernsting and Russ Langley are expecting some stiff competition.

"Thursday night could be a bit hairy!" Hedges said with a laugh, anticipating some close contact in Hamilton. "I don't know what the numbers are at but it seems to me like a lot of people are coming which will be good for the event."

Unlike in the US, where Hedges is a support rider to the main players, on local soil he should be TSV's number one.

"I am feeling good and things are going well and Snow Valley obviously know it's my home country and home turf and will be looking out for my best interests," he said. "But at the same time I am not going to hold them to a tight leash if, for example, things aren't going well and incidents happen - last year I had numerous flat tyres. As you know it's cycle racing and anything can happen, but, hopefully, things will go well this year."