Two key ingredients will be missing from this year's National Duathlon Championship, however the meal should be no less tasty with a number of dandy match-ups being served.

Gone are defending female champion Lynn Kynoch and two-time men's winner Greg Hopkins, Kynoch having left the Island to pursue other career goals, while Hopkins has taken a voluntary hiatus from competition.

"It's going to be hard (watching from the sidelines),'' said Hopkins yesterday. "I'm feeling it already this week. But it was something I had to do.'' Intrigue yet remains, with a looming duel between Neil de Ste Croix, last year's overall winner, and rising star Steven Doyling.

Doyling recently returned from school abroad and is reported to be in excellent condition and ready for an all-out assault on the title.

Meanwhile, the diminutive de Ste. Croix has spent much of the last week resting an injured ankle that required six stitches to close a puncture wound incurred while exercising on a stationary bike.

De Ste. Croix at first sounded confident and then somewhat unsure as to whether he would even enter the race. He said that it would depend on how quickly the wound healed.

"I'm going to have to go pretty hard. Flat out all the way through,'' he said. "I hope to be stronger on the bike this year, but there is a slight chance that I can't compete.

"(But) things are looking pretty good at the moment. I haven't been able to train for a week I still feel in good shape.'' Last year had de Ste. Croix taking the lead early and then, with Hopkins eliminated through a mechanical failure, cruising home easily in front.

Doyling is known to be the stronger cyclist and the champ may need to follow a similar route if he is to again prevail.

Other possible challengers include Kevin Tucker, Tracy Wright and Jeremy Ball, while James Cooper, who won last week's Swan's Five Mile Race also warrants a close eye.

On the women's side, Jane Christie, Julia Hawley and Melanie Claude could be part of a three-way clash.

Of the trio, Hawley, once regarded as a triathlete, has beefed up her road running a great deal over the past year and with her known affinity for the other disciplines probably rates as favourite.

"Julia's tough and will be out there hooking with the rest,'' said Hopkins when asked about the women. "But there's also Jane, Melanie and Shona (Cowie) in there as well.'' Entries for the Duathlon close tomorrow at 5 p.m.