Attracting one of the top names in cycling on a regular basis is reflective of the growing stature of the CD&P Grand Prix, says Bermuda's national cycling coach Greg Hopkins.

Hopkins said the return of George Hincapie for the event which starts today illustrated just how prestigious the race was becoming in the eyes of the sport's top exponents.

"We are now at a stage where we are fielding the biggest and probably the best quality field that we have been ever been able to do," said Hopkins. "So much so that this year we have had to cut off the entries from overseas riders such is the interest particularly in the US and Canada and even stretching over into Europe now.

"Of course we have attracted back George Hincapie, who was part of the team that led Lance Armstrong to his fourth consecutiveTour De France win this year.

"This is in fact George's fifth visit to Bermuda which I think is testament to the enjoyment not only of the event but also of the island of Bermuda."

Competition is always white hot, but Hopkins said this year it was even hotter.

"This year there will a lot of tremendous competition with the introduction of Team Mercury, one of the strongest teams in the US," he said. "They are going to be led this weekend by Henk Vogels, who in fact finished second last weeked at the San Francisco Grand Prix against all the top riders from the Postal Service in front of about 250,000 spectators.

"This is a very high quality field, very strong in depth and particularly on Thursday night in Hamilton when the action gets underway at 7 p.m. there is going to be some very, very exciting racing for spectators to witness."

In addition to the mens field this year, Hopkins said the Island was fortunate to have a strong womens field with five overseas teams represented.

It will also be the first opportunity for Islanders to see Bermuda's top overseas based riders, Kris Hedges, Wayne Scott and Geri Mewett, who will all be in action following their participation in the Commonwealth Games last month.

"All in all it promises to be a very exciting weekend," said the coach.

Ross Webber, of title sponsors CD&P, said the company was proud to be associated with such a top class event.

"Over the past ten years this event has come on in leaps and bounds, thanks in the main to the hard work of the Bermuda Bicycle Association and their team of organisers," he said.

"It is now a permanent fixture on the cycling calendar and is eagerly anticipated by the world's top riders as a fitting climax to the year's cycling events."

The event begins tonight with the Front Street Grand Prix and continues tomorrow with the time trial at Clearwater Beach, St. David's. On Saturday there is a road race and Sunday's attraction is the Hamilton Criterium.