Melanie Claude and Julia Hawley begin their 2002 international racing programme today as they continue their quest to represent Bermuda at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England.

In typical fashion the two women, who their coach Greg Hopkins describes as "the two most focused, dedicated and hard working athletes I have ever known", will not ease their way into the season.

Both have chosen one of the top races on the US West Coast to start their campaign, the highly rated Solano Bicycle Classic in Solano County, California.

Sanctioned by the United States Cycling Federation, the four day stage race, totalling over 250 miles in length boasts a field of approximately 300 professional and elite amateur cyclists in the mens and womens fields, and with 4,500 feet of climbing on the first stage alone. It will be a major test for the two local riders who are no strangers to top international competition.

Whilst many would argue that Claude and Hawley have both more than proved their worth in major events, neither is prepared to leave anything to chance and see this weekend of racing as a stepping stone to their goal of representing Bermuda in Manchester.

"It is a very tough event, and many of the riders will have already been racing in major events this year, but Jules (Hawley) and I need to see exactly where we stand right now," said Claude. "This is more of a test and are just hoping for strong performances against a top field."

Hopkins says of the decision to go to such a high profile event so early in the season: "The main goal is for a positive ride on Thursday in the 60 mile road race.

"It is a much tougher course than Manchester with over 4,500 feet of climbing, and if they can ride well then it will be a boost for the other events they have scheduled overseas in the next month or so."

The road race on Thursday is followed by a 12 mile time-trial tomorrow, a 30 minute criterium on Saturday and a 64 mile circuit race on Sunday.

Hopkins said: "The overall result over the four days is not relevant. We are concentrating on the road race on Thursday and the circuit race on Sunday, the rest is just good experience."

Hawley is not intimidated by the prospect of such a difficult race so early on.

"We have to get as much international exposure as we can and don't have the luxury of racing week in and week out overseas," she said.

"It puts a lot of pressure on us, but we are used to that.

"We know what we have to do to reach the Commonwealth Games and we will both do whatever is necessary to make it."

Both women have already shown there strength in the first two events in Bermuda, where they were involved in a sprint finish against Steve Millington and MacInnis Looby in the first race of the season after a long break-away - Claude finishing third and Hawley fourth in a close finish.

On Front Street last weekend in the IBC Race Series, they were again part of the lead group of four riders chasing runaway winner Looby, with Claude finishing fourth and Hawley fifth behind Millington and Karl Outerbridge.

Putting it into perspective Hopkins said: "They are both riding at the highest level Bermuda can offer and are competitive with most of the top men.

"The racing here prepares them well for overseas competition."

The riders left yesterday and return on Monday.