Dominique Mayho is determined to cement his legacy as the most successful male rider in the history of the Sinclair Packwood Memorial Race this week.

The 29-year-old defending champion will be gunning for a sixth title in the 36th edition of the prestigious road race, which will be taking place on Friday as part of the Bermuda Day holiday celebrations.

Were he to win, Mayho would pull further ahead of Kris Hedges and Wayne Scott, who won the event three times apiece.

“I’ve got the chance to pull further away at the top of the list and the aim is to just keep extending my run of titles as much as possible,” said Mayho, who pointed at nine-times Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby winner Kavin Smith’s record as a milestone he would love to emulate.

“I look at Kavin, someone I now get to race alongside on the bike, and I think about how cool it would be to be remembered like that and have my name up there alongside him when people think of the Bermuda Day races. That’s where I want to get to.

“For me it is about that legacy, that’s the key thing for me. It’s funny because I’ve competed in bigger events in my career, but I can remember winning a race in Belgium and people here didn’t know anything about it.

“However, if you win the May 24 race, everyone remembers that and so it’s about cementing my name and legacy in this race.”

In the absence of some of his main rivals, with Kaden Hopkins and Conor White now competing overseas, Mayho will be the odds-on favourite to triumph in the 12.2-mile race from York Street, St George’s, to Cedar Avenue, Hamilton.

However, while remains confident of his chance, he is refusing to take anything for granted with the likes of his VT Construction team-mate Cameron Morris posing a very realistic threat, particularly if a sprint finish ensues.

“No matter who I’m racing I feel confident because this race suits me,” Mayho said.

“In the longer races, the guys know they can hurt me more but I’ve always been a bit of a sprint specialist, so this is where I have expertise and feel confident because I know I have a good chance.

“People will see me as the favourite because the guys overseas won’t be racing, but all I’d say is it makes me race a little differently because there is a different pressure.

“When they [Hopkins and White] are racing I have to think a bit more about every move during the entire race, whereas now I expect that everyone will be following me and so the tactics have to be different. In every race you have to be confident, but I also know it will be hard to win again.

“I will have my normal team-mates now racing against me, people like Jamie Cousins and Cameron Morris, who are both very strong riders.

“Cameron on his day is someone who can push you really hard. He’s outsprinted me a couple of times and can be someone to look out for in a sprint. Jamie is also always impressive, so I know I have to look out for both of them.”

As well as his rivals to contend with, Mayho is also keeping a close eye on the weather with adverse conditions forecast for Friday’s race.

The added threat of a slicker surface is certainly not lost on Mayho, who suffered a major crash in the wet in 2010.

“It’s definitely a threat,” said Mayho. “The last time it rained in the race I crashed out badly and broke my bike in half, so I know the dangers. I was a lot less experienced back then and that also plays a part. I now know that you have to be a lot more measured in your approach.”