Hubbard, preparing to tackle the world's best amateur riders during today's World Championship road race.

In any event the challenge promises to be a great one for the Bermudian as the course in Duitama, Colombia consists almost entirely of steep climbs and descents and is one of the toughest ever used for a world championship.

Adding to the difficulty factor is the prospect of competing among the rarefied air caused by the high altitude in Duitama, situated in Boyaca among the Cordillera Oriental mountain range.

Many have described the 17 lap course as being tailor-made for the home riders and mountain climbers, with the circuit so steep in parts that many photographers have decided against taking pictures of the riders from the pillion seats of motorcycles.

Absent of contact with her son since he departed the United States on September 25, Rosalind Hubbard was yesterday keeping her fingers crossed as to Elliot's chances.

"It would be wonderful for him to pull off something great, a top 10 finish would be fabulous,'' she said. "He has his work cut out, but he's put in the work and put himself in position.

"He went into his own pocket to go out to Colorado and get acclimatised with the altitude and what not. Now he has to deliver the goods and make it happen.'' Hubbard is reportedly being accompanied in the Spanish speaking nation by Bermuda Bicycle Association officials Sinclair Packwood and Vance Stevens. But as of yesterday little had been heard from the trio.

This year's World Championships could be Hubbard's last as an amateur, with the very real prospect of him being offered a pro contract by an American team following a sizzling 1995 on the US circuit.