Local rider Matt Walker will look to defend the James Dodds Memorial Trophy today, during the first stop of the New Zealand Downhill Mountainbike series.
The first round of the series will be held on The Taniwha trail in the Whakarewarewa Forest today. The event begins this morning, with timed runs held between 2pm and 4.30pm.
The rider with the fastest time today will be awarded the James Dodds Memorial Trophy, which was created in memory of the late mountain bike enthusiast.
Walker, brother of BMXer Sarah Walker, the Olympic silver medallist, is the current holder of the trophy and will be tough to beat, according to Descend Rotorua president Dave Hamilton.
Hamilton said about 150 riders would be attending the event.