The state’s loyal army of cycling fans will be torn between thin and fat tyres as Launceston and Derby host the races.

The ever-popular annual Stan Siejka Cycling Classic is guaranteed to entice thousands of road cycling fans into the CBD where elite, junior and master riders will take on laps of City Park.

Earlier in the day, mountain bike fans will be well catered for when the trails of Blue Derby again become the focus of national and international attention. 

Having hosted Australia’s first ever round of the Enduro World Series in April last year, the highly-praised network is warming up for its return next March by staging the newly-introduced Asia-Pacific Continental series.

Both events form part of national series and, ironically, are backed by the same sponsor.

The classic, to be contested over 55 minutes plus two laps of the 1.1-kilometre course, represents the first of four rounds in a national criterium series.

Further rounds will be staged in Sydney and Wollongong the following weekend and South Melbourne on December 16.

Meanwhile the Asia-Pacific Continental Enduro Series moves on to Mount Buller on December 1-2 before a New Zealand double-header in Nelson and Christchurch in February.

Other continental series are held in North America and Europe with South American and African equivalents in development.

Having previously attracted Tour de France winners Cadel Evans and Chris Froome plus a who’s who of Tasmanian and Australian road cycling, this year’s classic will be dominated by National Road Series riders preparing for next week’s Tour of Tasmania.

WorldTour veterans Cameron Wurf and Nathan Earle lead the home-state charge.

Tasmanians dominate the start list in Derby with Launceston’s Rowena Fry looking to build on the enduro national title she won in Adelaide last month.

Victoria’s reigning world champion Sam Hill and experienced Kiwi Wyn Masters headline a large elite men’s field.

Racing gets underway at Derby at 9am while the classic is due to begin at 4.45pm as the final event in a six-race program kicking off at 12.30pm.