The event is part of the 2015 Evocities MTB Series and is proudly supported by Fairfax Media.

President of Bathurst Cycling Club Phil Egan said the event had attracted people from all over NSW. 

Competitors will be making the trip from Port Macquarie, Canberra, Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the South Coast, Wollongong, Tamworth and Dubbo to join local riders.

Mr Egan said it is great to see so many people have travelled here to be part of this event.

He added that with close to 200 competitors, each requiring one or two nights accommodation as well as meals, the race will inject a significant amount of cash into the local economy.

Mr Egan said with a big event taking place on the coast this weekend, unfortunately numbers have suffered a little, but the field of top riders will make up for what the event lacks in numbers. 

Among those competing will be current world 24-hour solo mountain bike champion, Jason English, from Port Macquarie, international rider Shaun Lewis, national level mountain bikers Ed McDonald and Andrew Lloyd, and one of the region’s fastest riders Dan Watson.

“There will also be a lot of local everyday riders coming out to compete,” Mr Egan said.

“It will be our first major race. The things held at the bike park so far have been club events, so this is a bit of a test for us.

“Being part of the bigger picture through Evocities is a real benefit.”

Mr Egan said having Fairfax Media and the Western Advocate as major sponsors has given the cycle club a real boost.

“The amount of coverage Fairfax has given us is unreal, and the money has helped us attract some great riders,” he said. “It has also really helped mountain bikes with building up events and giving them some prestige.”

The mountain bikes will be competing on a 10  kilometre trail built by volunteers and club members over the past two years.

“They have really put in a lot of effort to get it completed in time for this event,” Mr Egan said.

“The weather looks perfect for the weekend too. A little bit of rain makes for a nice fast track.”

Mr Egan said one of the highlights of the weekend was sure to be the high level of competition with a group of 10 riders going head to head. He added it would also be great to see the local riders enjoy the fruits of their labour. 

“It will be terrific to see them competing alongside the top mountain bike riders in Australia,” he added.

The mountain bike track was the latest addition to Bathurst’s multi-million dollar bike park.

By the time it was completed the facility will be home to five cycling disciplines: velodrome, BMX, criterium, kermesse and mountain biking.

“It is quite unique because it is the only park to have all those cycling sports in the same place,” Mr Egan said. “Council has done a great job getting it to the stage it is now. It’s going to be a fantastic facility.”

The Evocities MTB Series Bathurst round kicks off at 9.30am tomorrow.