Cycling fans will get a second opportunity this year to see top rider Elliot Hubbard in action locally on Sunday when he competes in the annual Hill Climb at Southampton Princess.

But there's no telling when Hubbard will be riding again on Bermuda's roads as he's soon to sign a professional contract in Europe with the Italian team AKI-Gipiemme, based in Monaco.

Hubbard, who has spent the last couple of weeks back home taking it easy with family and friends, knows the hard work will begin when he leaves for Monaco on November 22.

He will sign a one-year contract two days later and then will go into training in preparation for the new season which begins in early February.

"I'm going to take the training programme seriously once I get over there and work hard to support the team leaders in the first few events,'' promised Hubbard, who has made many sacrifices over the last six years to realise his dream.

"We'll start racing in early February and up until then it's just training, so I'll just have to get my base fitness back up again.'' With only a few low intensity rides under his belt since returning to Bermuda, Hubbard will go into Sunday's race at the Princess aiming to recapture the title he gave up last year when he was off the Island.

In 1994 he capped three straight wins by beating McInnis Looby who won last year in his absence.

Another showdown is expected between the pair on Sunday while two others to watch are Dana Henry, known as a strong hill climber, and Stephan Carpentier, who is back in action following a serious achilles tendon injury.

The event, organised by Bermuda Bicycle Association officials Greg Hopkins and Linda Dillon, will start at 9.00 a.m. at the Middle Road entrance. Each rider will go off at timed intervals. Between 8.15 and 8.45 riders can register for the event which is open to all cyclists.

"It's a spectator friendly course and anybody on the hill will see both the start and finish,'' said Hopkins.

"This (incline) is what Elliot is renowned for but he won't be taking it for granted,'' added Hopkins.

Hubbard admitted that while he liked the hilly terrain, the shorter distance presented him with new challenges.

"I'm used to racing 120 miles, not 700 yards,'' he pointed out.

"This is more a sprinter's race than a distance race. It's like asking a marathon runner to race 100 yards.

"It's a nice little short race and shouldn't take too much out of me physically. I can still put in a good time even though I'm not in tip top shape right now.'' Still, it will be a good chance to guage his fitness before he heads to Monaco to compete with and against the top riders on the European circuit -- riders like Miguel Indurain, Tony Rominger and this year's Tour de France champion Bjarne Riis of Denmark.

"I'm very anxious to race with riders of that calibre, to learn all the tricks of the trade, start making my mark hopefully and to work my way up the ladder.'' Hubbard will also get a chance to brush up on the French he learned during his spell in France a couple of years ago, before moving to the United States. And there could soon be another language rolling off the tongue of the 23-year-old Bermudian.

"My team is predominantly Italian so I'll have to learn Italian as well and hopefully it won't be a problem,'' said Hubbard, who is sponsored locally by Conyers, Dill and Pearman.

"Most pro cyclists can speak three languages so it's definitely an asset. If I switch to a Spanish team I'll have to learn Spanish. It kind of goes along with the job.

"You end up getting a well rounded cultural experience at the same time.'' ELLIOT HUBBARD -- competes in the Princess hill climb this weekend before heading off for Europe to embark on a pro career.