Kris Hedges alluded to a small amount of trepidation as he prepares to set off Down Under for next month?s Triathlon World Championships.

The Bermudian will join Tyler Butterfield in Brisbane, Australia next week before heading to the event in New Zealand where they will meet up with fellow Islander Stephen Petty.

Hedges had the perfect fillip for the challenge ahead by coasting to the Bermuda National Triathlon Championship title at Clearwater on Sunday.

Better known for his performances on the bike as the Island?s top cyclist, rather than for his swimming and running prowess, Hedges finished the race inside two hours, breaking the tape in one hour, 59 minutes and 27 seconds.

However, the race in Queenstown at the beginning of December is an altogether different proposition, and Hedges is well aware of it.

?It seemed like it would be a good idea about nine months ago,? he said with a laugh. ?As the time has gone by there has been more and more pressure put on it. I have done some good times and have ridden well and having kept fit, people are expecting a lot more out of me.

?I want to keep it fun, but if things are going well, they are going well,? he added.

Hedges said he wanted to break two hours, but had set himself a realistic target of two hours, ten minutes for Sunday?s national championships.

?Quietly, secretively, that was my goal but the main aim was to go 2:10.00 because that is one of the Bermuda Triathlon Association qualifying standards,? he said. ?I thought if I came out of the swim after 20 to 21 minutes it was a possibility. When that happened I set my mind to it.?

The field for the event was relatively small, but Hedges had his work cut out over the first discipline.

?I wasn?t first out of the water but shortly thereafter on the bike I was winning the race,? he said. ?It?s a good number of years since I have been used to doing triathlons, but it definitely felt comfortable and I had no problems.?

The last time Hedges completed an Olympic distance triathlon was in 1997 and he said he believed back then his fastest time was around 2:07.00.

As for the title, he said it was one he was proud to hold.

?It?s nice to be the national champion in multiple events,? said Hedges, who also holds that distinction in cycle road racing and time trialing. ?But mainly this was just a preparation race for the World Championships.?