Northlanders will be in for a tough race tomorrow in the Fred Ogle Memorial Ride with former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Gordon McCauley touted as a favorite to take out the men's 110km ride.
However, it's not just the former professional rider and Tour of Southland winner McCauley who Northlanders will be keeping an eye out for.
Race organiser Stu Bell said while McCauley was a rider of note, there were plenty of Northland riders who would be chomping at his heels.
In particular Bell felt former Whangarei rider Ben Johnston - who is now based in Christchurch - would be right there, along with youngsters Richard Young, Liam Seeley and Matthew Markby.
Meanwhile in the women's race, who are racing for the Lynley MacDonald Memorial Trophy, the favourite is likely to be 2012 winner Ruby Livingston who will put to the test by one of New Zealand's top up-and-coming riders Devon Hiley - who is travelling to the region with McCauley.