Dyrone Minors has run home to win the Bank of Bermuda team triathlon in successive years before ? in 1985 and 1986 ? but his bid to repeat last year?s triumph for a fourth overall win might provide his toughest challenge so far.

The man who is likely to be duelling with him in tomorrow?s event is a professional sportsman and a former Olympian ? and Tyler Butterfield?s team are unlikely to have surrendered much of a lead by the time the final leg comes around.

Minors held off Kavin Smith last year thanks to the help of Kris Hedges and his American friend Patrick Dideum, and the triumvirate will get together again tomorrow and hope for a repeat win.

Dideum, who competed in the world aquathlon championships recently, is favourite to come out of the water first and will hand over to former pro cyclist Hedges and then the 46-year-old Minors will have the three-mile run.

But competition will be stiff as John Legge teams up with Butterfield, who despite recently signing a pro cycling deal, will hand over pedalling duties to his girlfriend, a top amateur cyclist who is likely to challenge Hedges all the way.

?It?s going to be harder this year,? said Hedges, who will team up with Butterfield for the Caribbean Cycling Championships later this month.

?We are going to have the same very strong team again but I think it?s going to be tough against Tyler?s lot. There are also other strong teams, as there always are, so retaining our title is going to be hard.

?Patrick is a superb swimmer but it is only a sprint course so I can?t see him coming out of the water too far ahead of someone like John Legge. And then I know it is going to be tough on the bike, she is going to be good so I am going to have to be at my best.

?Tyler might not be doing triathlons anymore, but he is an excellent athlete and with all the training he has been doing and his high level of fitness, I think he is going to be quick on the run.

?He?s been in (Las) Vegas at a trade show this week, so let?s hope he parties hard and won?t be at his best!?

The adult and junior Bank of Bermuda Triathlon team events start at 9.30 and 8.30a.m. respectively tomorrow with the individual events taking place the following Sunday at the same times, with registration closing on Wednesday.

Hedges ? who is focusing on the Caribbean championships where Bermuda will send a very competitive team which includes Butterfield, Geri Mewett, Garth Thompson and Wayne Scott ? says he is going to skip the individual event next week as he prepares for his first competitive cycling event since last year?s Island Games.