Ray Hope is poised to make it two wins in a row when he defends his long-distance mountain bike title in the Coastal Classic on Sunday.
Hope, an experienced road cyclist, has added mountain biking to his repertoire over the last few years.
He won the masters title at the New Zealand Mountain Bike Cup event in Dunedin last year.
Hope displayed his versatility a few weeks later by finishing third in the 25km time trial road cycling race at the New Zealand Masters Games.
Hope dominated the 62km race in the Coastal Classic last year and Taieri cyclist Brad Evans was the fastest man in the 42km race.
The two races have been merged into a 50km race this year that Hope is expected to dominate. Evans would have challenged him but he is competing in the Tour of Southland.
Other contenders will be experienced road cyclists Chris Henderson and Geoff Keogh.
Maggie Paesk won the women's open 42km race and Kate Fluker took the honours in the 62km event last year.
The Coastal Classic was first held eight years ago when 138 mountain bikers participated.
Running and walking events have been added and a record competitive field of 550 took part last year.
Race director Steve Green expects more than 500 to compete again in the mountain biking and running events.
Otago distance runner Sarah Chisnall won the women's 12km run last year, while Kevin Duggan won the men's event. The 20km run was won last year by Mike Wakelin and Kylie Batten was the first woman home.
There are five events being held on Sunday: Craypot run (12km), Akatore Creek run (20km), Moturata views walk (12km), mountain bike experience (15km) and Coastal Classic mountain bike (50km).
All events start (10am) and finish at Livingstonia Park.
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