New Zealander Graeme Miller will enter Monday's Sinclair Packwood Memorial Road Race as the clear favourite after his sparkling performance in last week's 35-mile race when he beat last year's Packwood champion Wayne Scott by a comfortable 30 seconds.

The former Olympian will be butting heads with the best cyclists on the Island when he arrives at the start line looking to win his maiden May 24 race.

Knowing that any one of 12 riders could triumph, Miller believes he will have his hands full, although the pressure he has previously felt from bigger competitions will hold him in good stead heading into the race.

"The race season has just got underway and everyone seems to have passed the buck onto who is favourite on the day so it looks like a very interesting race," said Miller.

"Being favourite doesn't really bother me, I have had an extensive cycling career although it has been many years since I have raced so the pressure really won't get to me.

"I have done Commomwealth Games and Olympics so any pressure that is building here isn't too bad.

"Last weekend's race was very competitive.

"It will interesting to see what race tactics come out on Monday after last weekend's race. I think it will be the usual suspects up front throughout the race.

"I looked at the start sheet and there are about 12 guys who can win the race, although Wayne and myself are the known sprinters.

"It is going to be very exciting and the calibre of racing on the Island now has gone up a notch, which is good to see.

"There are some riders on the Island who have tremendous potential such as Arthur Pitcher jr, Mark Hatherley and Garth Thompson.

"I've done my due diligence of the course and know it well, maybe not as well as Wayne and a few others, but I've got it down pretty good.

"It's not an easy ride by a long means, the first 10 minutes of the ride has a lot of hills in it so even though it is only 12 miles or so, everyone should be tired by the time they reach the finish."

Defending champion Scott is also backing one of at least 10 riders to take line honours, including last year's runner-up Thompson.

And while the champion has been set back with surgery recently, he noted that if the battle turns out to be a team race, look for himself to be in contention regardless of how much race preparation he has had.

"I have been injured and recently had surgery so I haven't been able to put in the proper amount of miles I would like to have put in. I have been trying to ride myself into some sort of shape," said Scott.

"I definitely am not the clear favourite and I'm going to just see how it plays. As a team, if we ride smart and put ourselves in position to contend at the end it will be interesting.

"But I think there will be a lot of guys gunning for the title, so it could very well be the best field to date for the event.

"Graeme is a former pro who is used to winning so last week's win wasn't that much of a psychological thing.

"There are so many people in contention such as Garth Thompson who is looking to add this race to his resume along with others.

"I could name a genuine 10 guys who could contend and win the race, so it is going to be interesting."