Pearman Grand Prix steps front and centre next week, featuring more than 130 competitors.

Organisers were this week bubbling with excitement over the elite field that has been secured for what promises to be the largest, most exciting series of cycle races the Island has ever seen.

Leading groups of individuals from Ireland, England, Canada and the United States are set to join local cyclists in a quest for the top prize in the four-stage event that includes Thursday's Classic on Front Street, a 10-mile time trial on Friday, followed by a 75-mile road race on Saturday and the finale, a criterion around the streets of Hamilton on Sunday.

Both race director Kip Herring and Bermuda Bicycling Association (BBA) spokesman Greg Hopkins admitted to being amazed at the level of interest shown towards the event by overseas groups.

"Last year we had a dramatic increase over the previous year and this year the jump has been perhaps even more dramatic,'' said Herring, his wry grin masking the stress of a hectic period. "I feel we got the ball rolling by bringing in a couple of top UK riders and it's mushroomed from there. This year we're seeing the results of the spread of word from last year's race.

"The level of sponsorship we have this year has substantially improved -- we've doubled the prize purse -- and that's had a big impact. But also there's a big attraction because we're not in the States and neither are we in Europe, but are accessible to each side of the Atlantic.

"I think there's some interest from the UK and the US in getting together and testing their level of skill in a new race.'' Gary Baker leads the English charge, having ended 1996 ranked number one in the British standings, but it is 25-year-old countryman Julian Ramsbottom who has many salivating in anticipation. Ramsbottom is running hot, having already won the Universal Road race in Britain and stands second in the rankings.

Joining the pair are Colin Langley of Essex, Rob Reynolds-Jones, Dominic Sweeney along with manager Zak Carr.

Most recently confirmed were a four-member Canadian outfit of highly ranked national squad riders that includes Czeslaw Lukaszewic, who was eighth at the 1994 Commonwealth Games where Bermuda's Elliot Hubbard also raced.

Travelling with Lukaszewic are promising youngsters Alexandre Bernard, Fabien Bergeron and Guiollamme Belzile.

The Irish are represented by Allastair Irvine, James McConnell and William Hamilton.

On the US side, Hubbard's former team One Plus Inc look to be well represented by a six-man side led by Kirk Albers, who already boasts 75 wins to his credit, and also possessing the likes of Torry Marks, Kyle Smith, Luke Middleton, Mason Ricard and Tim Granshaw.

Team Snow Valley/Fat City offers Jonathan Wirsing, Erik Saunders, Jonathan Santoro, J.Dean Rittenhouse and Jonathan Hamblen.

Foreign women are also represented by Team Saturn with five-time national champion Dede Demet of Colorado and Karen Livingston, a six-time national champ.

"The event has a tremendous international flavour, it's got an incredible talent of field,'' said Hopkins, who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

"It's mind blowing to us that we've managed to attract a field of this quality and I would certainly easily put it on a par with the quality of the International Triathlon that comes here as well as the type of quality and excitement of the Front Street running races in January.

"It's the same sort of quality field, but a lot faster and a lot more exciting. The race on the Thursday night -- the Classic -- is just going to be unbelievable, the quality, the speed, the excitement of that race.'' Bermuda will be represented in the elite category by a sextet including team leader Steve Sterrit, Dana Henry, Jason Krupp, Mike Lee, MacInnis Looby and newest addition Tim Palmer.

While it would be a major shock if a local were to actually win, Hopkins noted the event to be useful as a gauge for the Bermuda riders, helping them to gain experience.

"The national team has been formed in an effort to get some continuity in competing together, training together, experiencing stage racing and big, high class events together with the fact that later this year there's the World B Championships which Bermuda is eligible to compete in, then there's the 1998 Commonwealth Games and that sort of thing.''