BERMUDA'S cyclists are taking the Island Games very seriously.

And the timing of the Games in June-July fits in well with other overseas competitions.

One of Bermuda's top cyclists, Wayne Scott, said earlier this year that he is getting in shape for the Island Games and then the World B Championships in Switzerland which will be held right after the Island Games.

Last year Scott finished the season in fifth place in the Florida Points Series and was the number one category criterium two rider in the US. He has also represented Bermuda in the Caribbean Championships in Curacao.

A number of cyclists will be representing Bermuda abroad at various competitions since most of the riders are amateurs and have families and business commitments.

This year's Caribbean Championships are set for June 7-8, the Island Games in Guernsey from June 28-July 5 and then the World B Championships from July 5-9. In August there is the Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic.

Greg Hoskins, who recently stepped down as the national cycling coach, said at the beginning of the year: "We are going to have to use new guys because the programme this year is so tight. It is not going to be possible to have the same team go through from one event to another. It is not going to be possible to field the same team all the time so we are going to be looking to bring in other riders while also looking to keep some continuity going where possible.

"I would say while it was great winning all the medals at the Caribbean Championships, and we are not putting it on the back burner, but we are going to have to put all our efforts into the Island Games and the B World Championships. The Island Games are new to Bermuda and so it's very important that we are well represented. It appears at the moment that it is feasible for us to have our strongest team go to the Island Games and then transfer straight to Switzerland (for the World Championships). That would cut down on travel and having to acclimatise and would mean the team was coming straight off having competed the week before."