this month knowing that the upcoming season could be his last in Italy.

Soon after returning home for a two-month break in November, the Island's first -- and only -- professional cyclist feared his Italian team, AKI, would go under due to a lack of sponsorship affecting the sport in the country.

However, Hubbard said yesterday he was been informed that the team had secured another deal with their sponsors, as well as a few minor sponsors. As a result, he still has a job when he returns to the team for the 1998 season next week.

A financial crisis has already forced five teams to fold, the latest being Reffin, one of the major teams in Italian cycling.

With many Italian cyclists now looking for new clubs and Hubbard being a foreigner, the 24-year-old Bermudian is admits he very uneasy about the situation.

"Obviously Italian teams will give precedence to Italian riders and that's something I'm always aware of,'' said Hubbard.

"I haven't actually signed my contract for next season and that won't happen until I get back over there. So until that contract is signed there will still be a little anxiety in my mind.

"I've had the word of my team director that there shouldn't be a problem for next season.'' Still, Hubbard isn't taking anything for granted.

"That's the way you should race anyway, to try to get the best out of a season,'' he said.

"Not to take anything for granted in cycling, that's one thing I've learned.'' AKI have already reduced the number of their riders from 16 to 12, contributing to the large number of good riders in Italy looking for work. And though he sent out feelers to other countries just in case, Hubbard's preference is still to remain in Italy where he made his debut as a pro last season.

"Obviously I'm still going to have to play a supporting role, I'm not of `team leader' stature yet,'' said Hubbard.

"I'm just grateful to have a chance to race in the European pack because that's where I want to be. The fact that I'm still on the team is a relief.'' The uncertainly of it all has made Hubbard wonder if he has a future in the sport as a professional.

"It does make you think,'' he acknowledged. "Cycling is at a very difficult point in its existence right now, especially Italian cycling, so it does make you think about what else you could be doing.

"Cycling is still something I want to be doing at this point. Even if it's financially not the best thing for me to be doing, I can always make up for that in other areas.'' "Obviously as long as I'm progressing I'll continue to pursue the sport and if I feel I'm beginning to stagnate than maybe I'll have to reconsider.

"But for the time being I feel I have a lot to give to cycling as a whole.''