and Classic Criterium is set for a memorable first.

Next Thursday will see the first ever all-female Classic Criterium race to be held on local asphalt, with seven elite overseas outfits along with the Canadian National Female Junior Team.

That will take place before the men's criterium, won last year by Trent Klasna of Navigaotors.

Bermuda national cycling coach Greg Hopkins expressed great excitement at the prospect of an all-female event, which he said bodes well for the sport locally.

"I think it's a very positive thing for the event,'' said Hopkins. "The women's field has been growing in strength from year to year, but it seems this year the organisers have really put together a strong field which will make for an exciting race.

"Particularly with our very own Melanie Claude and Julia Hawley riding so well, and riding at the top level, it's going to make it an interesting race.

And I think the addition of a women's race on the Thursday night is going to add even more spice for the spectators because they wouldn't have seen women racing at that level before.'' Bermuda has been somewhat slow to catch on with Europe and the United States in terms of the number of women cyclists, however the quality of the women out there racing has sky-rocketed.

And playing no small role in the improved stature have been the quartet of Claude, Hawley, Jeanna Jones and Wenda Godfrey.

Claude has, without a doubt, stood out as the yardstick for others to be measured against. Since electing to cycle full-time after years as a triathlete, Claude has been virtually unbeatable on local soil, and even upstaging the men during a memorable race last season.

Her talent was recognised by the French team Etoile Conde-sur-Noireau, which led to a tour of duty in Europe as well as competition at the prestigious Women's Tour de France this year.

"I think women's cycling has got a little more credibility now than it's had in past years,'' said Hopkins. "It always has been a strong sport in Europe, but I think that with the sport growing in the US as much as it has since Greg Lemond and now Lance Armstrong I feel that as the men's fields grow so will the women as well.

"We were at the Killington Stage Race (Vermont) last weekend and they had a very big and very strong women's field. Generally it's always been a strong sport in Europe but I think that it's developing more worldwide now.'' And just what do the men think of the fairer ones intruding upon what had formerly been male only territory? "I think the men love it,'' responded Hopkins. "The men enjoy seeing the women out there, and particularly seeing Melanie and Julia out there achieving the things that they are achieving internationally, there's no male chauvinism there at all.

"The men are as appreciative of the women's efforts as anybody...I'm certainly very proud of them and what they're doing in cycling.'' The list of overseas women's teams included for the Classic Criterium include Elita, Schwab, Saturn, Proctor and Gamble, Autotrader, Etoile Conde-sur-Noireau, Canadian National Junior Team and Farm Frites.

Front Street specatcle: this year the CD&P Grand Prix will feature an all-female criterium before the men's race.