First, commuting at a steady speed trains your body to do just that, you need, for racing, speed work with maximal efforts to train your body to accept the efforts. Second,one way to check would be to get on a test rig (Wattbike, for instance) and see what your output is, then you will see potential or not. Third, disc brakes on the road are (thank goodness) contrary to UCI regulations, and Bermuda is a UCI affiliated federation, so no disc brakes! Four, ignore the incredibly crass comment made about doping and no testing in amateur sport - first there is no such thing as amateur, just categories/classes, and ANYONE who races signs to allow testing. A recent case reported in Bermuda shows this. Five, why spend a fortune when, if you show potential, an aluminium frame job will suit as a starter, with the bonue that when the inevitable happens, it's likely you won't write off a frame (which is very likely with carbon, and they don't repair well, if at all). And finally, go on some rides with a local club before plunging into competition, understand peloton protocol, how to ride fast and safe in a group, because you'll be a very unpopular person if you are all over the place in a race.
Best of luck!
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