The event is centred around the three main peaks which overlook Dunedin — Mt Cargill, Flagstaff and Signal Hill — and involves six timed stages over two days.
Riders ride up to the peaks and are timed on the descents although the exact routes are not known to riders until the day of the racing.
Paul van der Ploeg, of Australia, will be joined by Frenchman Thomas Bailly as the lead international riders vying for a podium spot from New Zealand riders Justin Leov, of Blenheim and formerly of Dunedin, Jimmy Pollard, of Queenstown, Keegan Wright, of Rotorua and Dunedin riders, Leighton Kirk and Ethan Glover in the men’s grade.
In the women’s field, Nina Arnold, of Whistler, Canada, will be up against Anja McDonald, formerly of Dunedin, now of Nelson. Reigning champion Rae Morrison is unable to ride because of injury.
Race founder Kashi Leuchs said the selected race terrain had a few surprises in store for riders come the start this morning.
"We can let people know now that we actually have a few new tracks in the course," he said.
"We kept that really hush-hush because we didn’t want riders out practising these new trails, but essentially what we’ve done is to clear some older tracks that had become overgrown and hadn’t been used for some time."
Leuchs said it was important to have something fresh for riders.
"The first track of the race, the Pepper Tree Track, will probably see a few wide eyes as they come down the trail," he said.
"It’s not easy — if it was to rain we wouldn’t be able to run that course — it’s probably a bit too scary for that. But it is a nice part of Dunedin, set in beautiful bush and it’s great to be able to showcase that."
The new tracks had led to complaints from walkers but Mountain Biking Otago had received permission from Dunedin City Council to build the tracks.
The event is ranked as an Enduro World Series (EWS) qualifier race.Today there are stages across Swampy Summit, Mt Cargill and Bethunes Gully while tomorrow the stages are on the trails of Signal Hill.
