Championships in Colombia disappear almost before the race began on Saturday.

Twenty-one-year-old Hubbard, unbeaten as an amateur since moving to the US this year, had desperately wanted to perform well in the gruelling 177-kilometre road race which brought together 230 of the world's top amateurs.

But in the end he was forced to settle for 117th place, failing to fight his way through the huge field after officials placed him at the very rear of the pack, not even in sight of the start line.

"We're not making excuses, but he just never had a chance,'' said Bermuda Bicycle Association press officer Greg Hopkins yesterday.

"It was an impossible task. He was placed at the very back of the entire field -- they tend to do that with small countries which only have one rider.

"He apparently never even saw the start of the race, and once it was underway he just couldn't work his way through.

"He wasn't in touch with any of the attacks from the front, and therefore he couldn't respond.

"Elliot's spoken to his parents and he's very disappointed, and totally exhausted both mentally and physically.'' Hubbard had hoped his performance in Colombia would strengthen his chances of joining a top professional American team after several had shown interest following his success at the recent Killington Stage race when he finished fifth ahead of several pros.

But Hopkins said he didn't believe his chances had been hampered. "Those teams will understand what happened. They know if you get stuck at the back of the field, there's no chance of getting among the leaders.'' And while Saturday's Worlds had also been listed as the qualifying event of next year's Olympics, Hopkins felt the young Bermudian would still be given an opportunity to ride in Atlanta.

"As a small country, and based on his performances at the Commonwealth and Pan-Am Games, I think Elliot should get a wild card entry. I can't see qualification being based solely on the Worlds.

"I really don't think Elliot has any need to feel disappointed although I know he is. The fact that he finished and considering how tough the course was, that's a major accomplishment in itself.'' Saturday's victory went to Dutchman Danny Nelissen, who ironically comes from one of the world's flattest countries.

Nelissen, a professional rider until last year when he lost his contract with the TVM team, outsmarted riders who are far more experienced in mountainous terrain and altitude to win in four hours 52 minutes 39 seconds.

Italy's Daniele Sgnaolin was second, finishing 18 seconds behind the winner, while Ecuador's Pedro Rodriguez finished third after holding off a challenge from the host nation's Victor Becerra in a sprint finish.

It was the first time Ecuador had won a medal at the world championships.

The race was held on a 17.7-kilometre circuit around the provincial town of Duitama. The route, at an altitude of 2,800 metres, consisted of a long climb followed by a twisty descent, heavily favouring riders from the host nation.

Nelissen, 24, broke away from the other riders during a steep descent on the penultimate lap of the 10-lap race and never looked like being caught after that.

"Before the last lap, I felt that I had to attack because everybody was dead,'' said Nelissen, who spent one month training at altitude in the United States for the event. "If you prepare well enough at altitude, you can win.'' "This year I decided to race with the amateurs. I did the best I could and I let the whole world see that I am good enough to be a professional again,'' he said.

Britain's Matthew Stephens led after six laps but eventually finished eighth after suffering a puncture.

The first 34 nations represented in the finishing order earned five places in the road race at next year's Olympics.