Sunday.

And it's not only the anticipated appearance of Elliot Hubbard that the Bermuda Bicycle Association's annual Hill Climb Championships are being billed as perhaps the best ever.

Not only will Looby have to battle the likes of Hubbard, on the Island before heading to Europe and the start of his professional career, along with regulars Stephan Carpentier and Dana Henry, but there's the added threat of a virtual unknown in these parts.

BBA spokesman Greg Hopkins revealed yesterday that American Scott Hodder, a former team-mate of Hubbard on the Baltimore-based team One-Plus, is to take part in the season-ending affair at the Southampton Princess.

Hodder, part owner of One Plus Inc., along with team-mate Nils Dennis, competed at the Bermuda Grand Prix alongside eventual winner Hubbard and is an exceptionally powerful rider. And the course -- 700 metres almost straight up, from Waterlot Inn to just outside Windows on the Sound -- appears tailor-made for his style.

"It adds a bit more of an international flavour to the event... a bit more spice,'' said Hopkins.

"It's much like the swimmer (Dominique Arthur) who came out of the water first in the (Bank of Bermuda) Team Triathlon. Nobody knows what he's capable of and normally with the hill climb it's something for the local riders, who all know each other's strength, so it should be real exciting.

"It looks like it's building up to be a big competition between Elliott, MacInnis, Scott Hodder, Stephan and Dana. If they all show up it could be one of the best Hill Climb events that we've ever had up there.'' However, while much focus has been on Hubbard and now Hodder, both of whom are just coming off a full season, the reigning king isn't about to relenquish his crown without a fight.

"I'm going to do my best to maintain it, that's all I can do,'' said Looby, who also has experience racing among the US circuit as a member of Team Extreme, based in California.

"I haven't had that kind of competition since Killington, so it's been a while and it's going to be tough, but I still have a chance because it's such a short course.

"It's just a matter of riding smart and not trying to go too hard too fast.

It's short, but if you go too hard too early you'll blow up and it's over.

"A second or two is the difference between winning or losing, so you have to make sure your effort and output is just right.'' And he intimated that being classified as the underdog might be a factor that could work in his favour.

"Actually it's sort of relaxing for me, where I can go out there and relax and focus on what I have to do while everyone concentrates on Elliott and Scott,'' he said.

Looby seized the title in the absence of Hubbard a year ago, beating out 33 other riders on a blustery, crisp morning. His time of one minute, four seconds was two seconds off the record held by Hubbard, a mark that could well tumble Sunday, if conditions are right.

The event gets underway at 9 a.m., with riders setting out at timed intervals.

Dana Henry