Winning the Sinclair Packwood Memorial Classic would mean so much more than just another victory for the cyclist whose name is recurrently buzzing from his rivals? lips as being among the favourites.

Having relocated back home within the past year, Wayne Scott will line up for his first-ever crack at the annual cycling classic which is dear to his heart.

?I?ve never done a Sinclair Packwood event before and he (Packwood) was an extremely close friend of mine. He got me into cycling and I even have his old bike stored at my house,? revealed Scott of what?s truly driving him.

Were 1999 winner Greg Hopkins a betting man his wager would be on Scott to pip all others to the finish outside the National Sports Centre on Monday morning.

?I think it suits his style of riding. For Wayne, he has the added motivation that it?s the first time he is doing this race and secondly he and Sinclair Packwood were extremely close friends. I think he would be a favourite but that might jinx him,? said the former national coach who will himself be back in the saddle.

Garth Thomson, too, pinpointed Scott as the man to beat, noting the latter?s team-mates have sacrificed for him in various races this season.

?When you have people who are willing to do that for you it makes a difference and he is riding well right now. I just hope I can give him a run for his money,? said Thomson.

Based on what he has heard, Scott expects ?an interesting and wide open race? given the short distance from Somerset to town.

?Like everyone else, if I have a good day it shouldn?t be a problem but so much is involved in cycling. I don?t start any race thinking I can?t win it and if it comes down to a sprint at the end it?s a non-issue,? said the 37-year-old confidently.

Still he remains cautiously optimistic, knowing that while he has competed consistently since moving back home he is not quite the force he was in recent years.

?I?m riding a lot less than I did over the last few years. It?s enough to still be competitive in Bermuda and stay relatively in shape but my mind and body are out of alignment.

?My mind remembers how I used to ride and I still want to do those things but ? not putting in the amount of time and not taking it that seriously anymore ? my body tells me a different reality.?

Hopkins, making a competitive return after relinquishing his coaching duties, anticipates ?a very aggressive, hard race?.

Considering his strengths, he would prefer a tough battle which thins out to a lead pack in the final stages.

?If it?s a tactical battle and comes down to a sprint, even though I have a lot more speed in the sprint right now than I?ve had for some years, I wouldn?t be considered a favourite.

?The ideal scenario for me is that the race is extremely hard from the go and there?s a small group at the end who will be equally matched as far as fatigue.

?I really don?t want it to come down to a sprint. It?s not something that suits my style of riding.?

The 50-year-old?s riding has been progressing well with him being constantly in contention in several races this year.

While he would love to add another title to his collection, he is really preparing for the North American Masters Championships ? a four-day stage race ? in Canada in July. Hopkins? riding is benefiting from his decision to step down from all his responsibilities in the Bermuda Bicycle Association (BBA) and he is pleased.

?I?ve had a lot more focus for this season. I got in some good base training over the winter and I?ve had a pretty consistent year so far.?

Also coming back ? albeit from overseas ? is reigning champion Jean-Nicolas Bertrand who has been away at school in Canada.

Despite his sprinting prowess, he is not sure he is in the best shape to impact the outcome as he did last year.

?I don?t think my preparation is going to be high enough compared to all the guys here.

?This year off in school has been very relaxed. I?m concentrating more on my studies than anything else. I?ve not been riding that much and I wouldn?t fancy my chances.

?But it?s a bike race and anything can happen. It all depends on how the race develops. If it stays together then I think my chances are fairly strong because I have speed in the legs but if the race was to break up then I think I?d have to shoot for the podium as opposed to the top spot.?

Since returning to Bermuda the 19-year-old has been hitting the roads with Hopkins and others and, whatever happens, will be hoping to give a good account of himself.

Thomson has not had the results he wanted so far this spring but he is buoyed by the fact that he is learning more about road-racing and its tactics weekly and it?s improving his performances.

?Training has been going all right. I expect a fast race as it is traditionally with lots of attacking,? said the 34-year-old.

?It?s a bit of a crap shoot and I hope to be in the mix at the finish with a chance to win it.?