GRUELLING TREK: Last year’s Felt Alpine Assault winner Paul Van der Ploeg.

Riders gearing up for endurance event

THE Felt Alpine Assault Mountain Bike Marathon is set to test the mettle of local and interstate mountain bike riders on December 12.

The event is a mountain bike endurance race that starts in Falls Creek and finishes 100km later in Mt Beauty.

Mt Beauty’s Paul Van der Ploeg won the 2009 Alpine Assault after an epic battle in the event’s inaugural year.

Van der Ploeg used his local knowledge and a fair amount of cheek to take out the win from another young gun in Josh Carlson.

Van der Ploeg understated the length and severity of the final climb in last year’s race to Carlson, and was able to time his climb better and go on and win the event.

The course is set against the stunning backdrop of the Bogong High Plains and is one of the most challenging marathon courses in Australia.

Event director, Iain Moore, said the course would be slightly different from last year due to some storm damage to one of the roads.

"The course is challenging and spectacular and will certainly showcase the skill and mental strength of each competitor," Moore said.

"The course is unique in that there is equal opportunity for those who are strong at descending or climbing."

In some good news for those who think the 100km is beyond them, the organisers have included a 67km shorter version, which will also have the riders leave from Falls Creek and finish in Mt Beauty.

The event is part of a big week of cycling for the Alpine region with the road cyclists in Bright the week before for the Tour of Bright, with some expected to take on both events.