RIDERS from as far away as Brisbane and Canberra are expected to flock to Tamworth for the second annual Tamworth Cycling Festival.
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Featuring a variety of events including the city criterium, road race and grand fondo, the event will provide fierce competition for riders of all experience levels.
Tamworth Cycling Club president Daniel Nash said the event had seen an increase in competitors from last year's festival.
"I think our festival's real appeal is that there are so many different events to compete in during the two days," Nash told the Leader.
"From the 360 fitness city crits on Saturday, to the Roberts and Morrow community ride and the Goodyear hill climb on Sunday.
"There's really something for everyone."
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The stacked event will see some of the region's most accomplished cyclists battling it out, including Inverell's Zac and Dylan Sunderland as well as Tamworth's Luke Deasey.
"The number of our elite riders is down a little bit this year, due to their being some other big national races on," Nash said.
"However, there will still be some quality riders from around the region such as Aiden Sinclair and Simone Grounds competing.
"In fact, Simone is just coming off being the first woman to win the Cootamundra Classic, so she is in terrific form.
"With the blend of exciting senior and junior riders, the criterium is shaping up to be very exciting."
Nash said the criiterium would be "a real family affair" with several families having multiple riders enter the race.
"There are actually quite a few different families entering together," he said.
"Fraser Ashford will be riding with his wife Katrina and their son Eddie, while the O'Connor family and the Wrights will also be competing, just to name a few.
"It certainly makes for some exciting competition and I would say the best place for spectators to watch will be down near Goodyear or near Hopscotch Cafe."
Saturday's festival action begins with the hill climb from 9.30am, followed by the city criterium at 12.30pm.
Sunday's action begins with the community ride at 7.30am, followed by the road race and grand fondo from 8.45am.
