Launceston’s Rowena Fry leads the charge in the elite women’s division and is hoping to add to her seven national titles having made the transition from cross-country mountain biking. 

“Enduro is the best bits of cross-country only bigger and better. You don’t have to race uphill and get to enjoy downs more,” the 34-year-old said.

“I’m going to try and win but the competition will be good. I’m in good form but it’s all about staying upright.”

Dylan Calow, Kaine Cannan and Thomas Booth will contest the elite men’s race, Ben Mather will join Thomas Giblin in the masters with Tom Cheesman and Harry Nichols in the juniors.

The under-age events feature several of Launceston Mountain Bike Club’s state and national champions with Riley Cowling and Izzy Flint in the under-17s and Jak Oxford and Tom Stylianou in the under-15s.

“It’s realistic to say Row and Izzy would like to win their categories, they are both capable of that, but with enduro everything needs to go right,” Mather said.

“It is Izzy’s first time at enduro but Row did the world series (in Derby) so has some experience but they will be up against locals who know the track well.

“Enduro is probably the fastest growing mountain bike discipline at the moment and good to see the sport evolving to cater for different demands.”

Big numbers have turned out for Launceston Mountain Bike Club’s twilight series.

More than 130 took part in Wednesday’s round at Trevallyn with similar numbers the previous two weeks at Kate Reed and Youngtown.

Hollybank will host next Wednesday’s round with Ravenswood a week later.

The state cross-country champs will be at Osmaston on Sunday, December 17.