at the Montreal World Cup cycling event later this month.

Bermuda's undisputed top woman cyclist will team up with Julia Hawley and Jeanna Godfrey, as well as three unnamed Americans for the two-day event (May 28 and 30) that includes a 102-kilometre road race and 50-kilometre criterium and is part of the UCI Series.

Many top national and world class female riders are expected at the event and Claude said that it would provide an ideal forum to gauge her standing.

"I aim to do my best. I'm not expecting to -- because of the calibre of cyclists, we're talking world class here -- have a high placement, but I'd like to have a very good race,'' said Claude, who recently finished 79th out of 130 riders at the Tour of Navarre while competing for French team Etoile Conde-sur-Noireau.

"Basically it's a good testing period to see where I stand among the other elite cyclists around the world and it will also help gear me up for my upcoming event in France at the end of June.'' Claude still harbours hope of landing a wildcard place on the Bermuda Olympic team, but was not overly optimistic, with there being just one spot up for grabs and her competition among local cyclists being professional Elliott Hubbard.

The Bermuda Bicycle Association has forwarded a request to the Bermuda Olympic Association on behalf of both Claude and Hubbard.

"I have a feeling that Elliott will be the first choice...so I guess that kind of answers the question,'' responded Claude. "Only because he's pro and I'm amateur and he has a lot more experience than I do. I think that's their rationale.

"But I will continue to strive with the hope that there is a slight possibility for me to be chosen.'' Yet, there is the matter of the Sinclair Packwood Memorial road race on May 24 from Somerset to Hamilton where she will be up against the top local men.

Claude is also set to rejoin the French team in June.