Motocross: Spectacular test of skills on new course

It will be spectacular - and there could be a few spills and thrills.

The first freestyle motocross competition will be held on the new Koarse Motor Cycle Club course on Mt Cargill this afternoon.

Nine motocross competitors will test their skills on the specially prepared ramps and dirt jumps of the testing 300m circuit.

There are two big ramps on the course and the "kick off" on the largest one is 5m high. The cyclists will travel 25m before landing.

"There are ups and downs on the course and competitors will fly as high as the top of a lamppost," event organiser Jason Young said.

"There is good viewing on the course and spectators will see action that has not been seen in Dunedin before. "The riders will do back flips and other crazy tricks."

The track has been slowly developed over the past decade and is now ready for action.

There are concrete run-ins to the ramps.

It is a knockout competition and the favourite is Callum Shaw, of Cromwell, who has been a professional in freestyle events for the past four years.

New Zealand's best freestyle motocross rider is Levi Sherwood, of Palmerston North, who races on the North American circuit and competes in the X-Games.

"He is a world champion and won over $US1 million last year," Young said.

There will also be a series of pit bike racing for smaller bikes on the dirt course.

The competition will be held on the Mt Cargill Rd course between 1pm and 4pm today. If it rains and conditions are too dangerous, the competition will be held tomorrow at the same time.