Fresh from a pair of solid performances the past weekend, and in anticipation of a few more this weekend and next, overseas-based cyclist McInnis Looby is looking forward to making an impression at the upcoming CD&P Grand Prix.

Looby, who has largely been the forgotten man among the top Bermudian cyclists, produced a stellar sprint finish at the San Ardo Road Race in the California town of the same name on Saturday, placing 21st out of more than 100 riders over 90 miles of a hilly 20-mile loop course.

Looby, riding for Focal Communications - formerly Team Extreme - was a part of the main peleton that failed to chase down a small breakaway group, eventually finishing a minute behind the leaders.

The next day saw Looby's fortunes take a turn for the worse, as his penchant for climbing while still seated as opposed to the standing position resulted in his getting a 'saddle sore' that detracted from his performance at the University Road race in Santa Cruz, California.

Still, the Bermudian soldiered on in the face of adversity, scaling the mountainous three-mile loop course, finishing 20th out of 50 starters, two laps down. Saturn team ace rider Eric Wahlberg, a former winner of the CD&P who will return this year, won the 60-lap race.

The rider now has his eyes focused on a one-and-a-half hour criterium in San Rafael, which is set to feature several of three-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong's US Postal team partners. "This is a Pro One event, whereas most of my races have been Pro One/Two, so it should be a hot race," said Looby. "If I finish this race it will really say something as to the shape I'm in, because the big boys are coming out for this one.

"There's going to be some heavy hitters coming down to Bermuda from what I hear, so for me just to be able to be there and be competitive is something of a goal."

Looby is due to arrive in Bermuda on September 19 after travelling to London, where he and his wife are relocating.