the first of the Island's contingent heading for the CAC Games -- with an even more distant horizon in their sights.

Neither MacInnis Looby, Jason Krupp, and Mike Lee, who are leaving on the early morning American Airlines flight to New York, nor Kris Hedges -- who joins them in New York -- have qualified for next month's Commonwealth Games in Malaysia.

But the time trial and road races in Maracaibo over the next ten days could provide them with a last chance to do so, according to national coach Greg Hopkins.

Looby and Hedges go straight into action on Sunday in the time trial and will be joined by Lee and Krupp in the 180 kilometre road race a week later.

An upbeat Hopkins stopped short of predicting any form of medal success but he did say: "It's not out of the question for any of the four riders to qualify for the Commonwealth Games. If they have an exceptional ride, that could certainly make them eligible.'' Both Hedges and Looby have been preparing in the US in the weeks leading up to the Games -- the first since 1993 -- while Lee and Krupp have stayed on the Island to train.

"Kris has been doing extremely well and is in very good form. In a four day stage race recently he averaged 27mph,'' said Hopkins. "MacInnis returned to the Island last week after training with Team Extreme in California. Because of work commitments, Mike and Jason have been training locally, but they've been working very hard. All in all things have been going well.'' However, to perform at their peaks, all the riders will have to overcome the extreme heat and humidity, as well as an unusually flat course for both events. "It's sort of unusual. The only time I've come across it before was at the Pan American Games in Argentina -- they're normally hilly,'' said Hopkins.

"But it will suit Mike and MacInnis not to have major climbs, they're both power riders. And Kris has been riding so well he'll be fine in those circumstances.'' Hopkins' main concern is not so much the tough competition that his riders will meet, but that they manage to remain healthy.

"It's no secret that when you go to these countries you have to be meticulous about what you eat and drink. You have to be very careful about your hygiene,'' he said.

TWO WHEELS GOOD -- Bermuda's cycling team prepare to do battle in the CAC Games in Venezuela. Pictured (from left to right) are Jason Krupp, MacInnis Looby, Mike Lee and coach Paul Madeiros. The fourth member, Kris Hedges, is joining the team in New York.