Junior Championships that is.

But to speak to the level-headed youngster you'd think he was just going out for a gentle ride with his mates.

There is no brashness or arrogance about the boy -- yes he's sure in his own ability but he's not cocky and yes he bristles with enthusiasm but in no way is he over confident.

Of course it perhaps helps when both your mother and father were top athletes.

They've been there, seen it and won the medals.

And with that gene pool there's little wonder the 17-year-old is fast establishing himself as one of the Island's top athletes and is showing signs of having the attributes necessary to succeed on a larger stage.

Those attributes will certainly be put to the test in France next week when he competes with the best the cycling world has to offer.

More readily recognised as a triathlete, Butterfield has been concentrating on cycling in recent months and has shown such potential that after a few races in the US, Bermuda's national coach, Greg Hopkins decided to throw him in at the deep end.

Hopkins is aware of the magnitude of the event, but is also sure of Butterfield's ability to hold his own and more.

"If Tyler can finish the race it's going to be a major achievement, more than anyone who has been to the Junior Worlds in the past has been able to do, and that's not to decry the riders before him because in a race like this very often only 50 per cent of the field finishes,'' said Hopkins. "Knowing Tyler's abilities and knowing his mental strength I know he will going for more than just sitting in to finish.'' Though saying the event was more about the experience of competing against a top-class field than setting himself a medal target, Butterfield agrees with his coach that he's not just going along for the ride.

"I am just going to try and finish,'' he said. "But I'd rather try my hardest and get dropped by the leaders than just sit there and finish.'' Hours of training, involving Hopkins and Bermudian Olympian Elliot Hubbard, have gone into preparing Butterfield for the event, and it is here where another aspect of his competitive personality comes to the fore.

"The thing with Tyler is he is very independent,'' said Hopkins. "He has his own views about how things should be done.

"For example with the training schedule myself and Elliot have said `OK do this' and Tyler questions everything `Why am I doing this or why am I doing that?' which is good, it's healthy.'' Though Butterfield will have a wealth of experience in his camp, and his mother and father watching from the sidelines, when the race starts, unlike many riders, he will be on his own.

"On the day Tyler is going to have to rely on his alertness and sharpness to know when and when not to go,'' Hopkins said.

"Sometimes being on your own can work to your benefit because you are not being watched by anybody. We will have radio contact...but at the end of the day it will come down to Tyler reading the race the best he can.'' Butterfield, whose trip has been in part funded by the Bermuda Bicycle Association, the Bank of Bermuda and individual donors, said it would be an honour to fly the national flag.

"It's the first time I've really represented Bermuda at cycling and it feels pretty good,'' he said. "We have a beautiful outfit and just representing your country means something to you.''