tonight's CD&P Grand Prix in memory of Nicole Reinhart -- the top US cyclist killed while racing last weekend.

Reinhart, a member of the crack Saturn team, was killed when she struck a tree while taking part in BMC Software Grand Prix, in Arlington, Massachusetts.

She had been due to arrive in Bermuda on Monday in readiness for the prestigious Grand Prix.

Though shocked by her death, members of her team and fellow riders from the close-knit cycling fraternity have opted to race at the Bermuda event, which runs until Sunday.

Tina Mayolo, a member of the Autotrader.com team, said her thoughts would be with Reinhart at tonight's Criterium events.

"I'm waking up all the time and thinking about her -- it's really terrible,'' she said. "I think whoever wins they are going to dedicate the race to her -- she was so good, such a good athlete and such a nice person.'' "It was really hard because of how it happened -- you always fall and you get up and you are OK, you put the bandages on and you go on, it just doesn't happen -- everyone is stunned.'' Chris Pic, who races for the Mercury team, echoed Mayolo's thoughts.

"I thought maybe people wouldn't come, especially the Saturn team but they are here to race. I think if you asked Nicole if she was around she would want us to keep doing what we are doing because we all like it so much.

"You think about it, pay attention a little bit more and try to go on,'' he said.

Pic added: "I think they are going to try to dedicate one of the events here to her. I don't know if it'll be the Criterium but that would be the perfect race to dedicate to her because she was a Criterium rider and a really good sprinter.'' Despite the tragedy, Mayolo said she was looking forward to the event -- which for the first time features the women's Criterium.

"I'm really excited. It's really cool because we came last year and it was like "Oh you don't have a race for us?'' -- I was really psyched that they added it, it will be really fun,'' she said.

There will be an unknown quantity in the event in the shape of the Farm Frites team from Holland.

Team member Sissy van Alebeek said she didn't know much about the opposition but promised her squad would be pushing the US teams all the way.

"When we get on the bike for a race it doesn't matter what race it is we are very competitive, we always want to do well,'' she said.

Bermuda's national cycling coach Greg Hopkins promised tonight in Hamilton would be a thrilling evening for spectators.

"American riders are renowned as the best riders in the world on this type of course. I can guarantee there will be some very fast and furious action -- for the riders there is a lot of money at stake and that generates a lot more excitement,'' he said.

Alec Anderson, a partner in sponsors CD&P, said his firm was proud to be involved with the event -- now in it's fourth year.

"We find that cycling is a sport that involves teamwork and participation from every aspect of the local community -- old and young, rich and poor, it's that sort of sport.

"Teamwork is one of the things that Conyers, Dill and Pearman has as a core philosophy and cycling, being a team sport, is therefore a natural for us,'' he said.

Tonight's women's event begins at 7.30 p.m. and will last for just over 30 minutes. The men's event will get underway at 8.30 p.m. and will last for around 45 minutes. Spectators are asked to get there early.

A number of roads will be closed between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to accomodate the racing.

These are: Burnaby Street, between Reid Street and Front Street; Court Street, between Church Street and Front Street; Front Street, between Queen Street and Court Street and Reid Street between Court Street and Burnaby Street.

Police will be on hand at all junctions leading to the route and a number of streets surrounding the course will be subject to parking restrictions.

Cycling clinic: Pro rider Elliot Hubbard (left), national cycling coach Greg Hopkins (centre) and rising star Tyler Butterfield speak to students of Saltus Junior School on the eve of the CD&P Grand Prix.