Europe but they gained another.

For yesterday Elliot Hubbard, who on Sunday departs for Europe to take up residence with his new Monaco-based professional club AKI-Gipiemme, handed over his old jersey from One Plus to top Island rider Dana Henry.

Henry will join the Baltimore-based team in February, having parted company with California's Team Extreme after just one season.

Appearing excited and perhaps a bit nervous, Henry rated the signing a great new challenge and the perfect opportunity for him to improve his standard in what he regards as a more structured programme.

"I'm looking for a lot better results than what I got this year with Team Extreme,'' said Henry. "This year was good, but I was looking for a little bit more, looking to come back home a lot stronger than when I left.

"I climbed a few rungs and it worked out okay for the most part, but I'm looking for a bit more.

"This is a whole new challenge for me, because basically it's a team Elliott is leaving and I'm coming behind Elliott. Elliott was and is definitely a much better conditioned rider than I am, so I'm looking to make the climb to where he was to give that team the same kind of help that he gave them.'' However, at least for the beginning, the 29-year-old Henry will have to be content with competition among the District Three bracket, with an anticipated move up to Category Two by mid-season.

And his predecessor was confident that his countryman would do well and deserved a spot among the squad. Hubbard also viewed the move as one to provide incentive for some of the junior riders coming along to continue to train hard.

"He's a very talented cyclist,'' he said of Henry. "He's proven that locally and has made an effort to race overseas. Hopefully he can pick up from where I left off and take full advantage of the system set up there,'' said Hubbard, himself anxious to commence training with his AKI Gipiemme team.

"It could take his cycling to another level and I think that would be a positive thing for cycling in Bermuda and possibly open up some doors for locals in the future.'' Conversations with team owners Nils Dennis, Scott Hodder, as well as the departing Hubbard, were enough to sway Henry in the direction of One Plus, while the location close to home made it even more attractive.

But what really enamoured him was the family type atmosphere the team promotes.

"After talking with (them) I found that they have a much better training schedule and programme, and the team is more compact and together,'' continued Henry. "They travel together and some even live together, which promotes that family atmosphere, where nobody goes without the other and if they see you falling off they come back and help and encourage you on and give you that push you need.'' While not necessarily harbouring goals of someday being tagged for the European tour, which carries more prestige than its American counterpart -- and at his advanced age he realises his chances of latching on are slim -- Henry possesses a vision nonetheless.

"I'll have to see how it goes...'' was his response when asked if Europe could be on the cards. "Dana Henry would like to make it to Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games and hopefully the next Olympics, but basically become a lot better cyclist mentally and physically.'' PASSING THE BATON -- Elliot Hubbard (left) hands over his former professional team jersey to fellow Island cyclist Dana Henry.