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When you've won two Commonwealth Games golds, competed in multiple Olympics and chalked up over 200 wins as a professional, the Bermuda National Championships might not hold the same appeal.

And Greame Miller admits his days of straining every sinew to be in top condition for any cycling race are gone.

He may have won May 24 but the New Zealander is playing down his chances over the longer distance.

The 48-year-old believes he won't have enough in the tank to take on Bermuda's top riders and has tipped Garth Thomson for the title.

"I think Garth probably has more conditioning than me.

"I'm good for an hour and change and then I think he'll really take it to me. I think I'll have to dig deep to stay with him"

Miller, who said he was not training at full tilt and hadn't raced for six years before coming to Bermuda, believes younger, hungrier cyclists will have an edge over him.

"I've been there, done that as far as cycle racing goes. I've achieved everything I want to and as far as training for a two-and-a-half hour race goes, I can't really be bothered to be honest.

"That said I am a fierce competitor and if I get a sniff I'll go for it."

Miller, who coaches a handful of riders on Team Maddison, is hoping Bermuda's overseas riders Geri Mewett, who won this event last year, and Tyler Butterfield will also be back for this weekend's race.

"There's been a few rumours about those guys coming back and it would make it a more interesting race.

"It's a small field and I think there's a few people, if they get an opportunity, that have a good chance to win."

He believes Arthur Pitcher, Darren Glasford, Mark Hatherly and Wayne Scott will all be in the mix.

"The weather's going to add another dimension - there could be a few spills if it stays like this."

The National Championships Time Trial and Road Race will be held on the same weekend this year.

The Time Trial kicks off at 7am on Saturday with the road race at 8am Sunday.

"That makes it a bit tough," admitted Miller.

"I decided not to do the time trial - the road race is going to be gruelling enough in this heat and humidity.

"I'm not very good at time trials anyway so I'll leave it to the others and save myself from Sunday."

Cycling championships

June 27 - Bank of Bermuda Foundation National Time Trial Championships - Southside - 7am. June 28 - RMS Construction National Road Race Championships - Southside - 8am

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