to travel if he's to achieve his ambition of following fellow Bermudian Elliot Hubbard into the gruelling world of professional cycling.

Competing in his first World Junior Championships in Spain, 17-year-old Hedges, one of the youngest riders in the field, put up a gallant performance to complete the 75-mile road race, having been dropped by the main pack early in the event.

But he admitted afterwards, it was a "learning experience'' on which he hopes to build.

"It was a lot tougher than I expected,'' said Hedges from his San Sebastian hotel as he prepared for his return to school in Massachusetts.

"In local races and races I've competed in the States, the riders all started out conservatively. Here, they put the hammer down from the first lap and never let up. It was very fast.'' Hedges was eventually lapped by the leaders two laps from the finish but was allowed to stay in the race although he was not given an official time or placing. Riders who had been lapped earlier were forced off the course.

"It was a gutsy performance,'' said coach Greg Hopkins who travelled with Hedges to Spain. "He got left behind early after a couple of crashes split up the field. But he worked really hard and stuck to his task.

"I think the fact that the junior winner actually had an average speed faster than the winner of the senior race, even though it was half the distance, puts into perspective the quality of competition.'' Juniors from 42 countries took part in the championships.

Meanwhile, Hopkins had a close call on Saturday when he found himself just 300 metres from a bomb explosion which injured three Civil Guard officers during the women's road race. Police said the attack was probably carried out by the Basque guerrilla group ETA.

Senior championships, see Page 29.