AMATEUR mountain bikers will be able to pit their wits against the world's elite on the twists and turns of a forest track as international mountain biking returns to the region.

The second round of the UCI Cross Country Mountain Bike World Cup will return to Dalby Forest, near Pickering, in North Yorkshire, on Friday after a successful debut last year.

The three day event is expected to bring thousands of spectators to the forest, as well as to the streets of Pickering for a frantic road race on the first evening. A large number of local amateur riders are also gearing up to take on a timed lap of the black rated World Cup course on the second day of the event, known as the Dalby Dare.

Among them is James Risker, 27, from Wykeham, near Malton, who works as a guide at the Purple Mountain Bike Centre, based at Dalby.

He said: "I wanted to give it a go last time but got too tied up during the World Cup event.

"The course is pretty tough to say the least but what a fantastic opportunity to use the same trail as the world's elite and compare a lap time."

The elite riders, including members of Great Britain's world cup squad, will be hoping to secure precious qualifying points for the London Olympics next year.

The Dalby Forest course was hailed as the riders' favourite during last year's event and the course designer, Martin O'Vastar, from Pickering, has been asked to help design the new Olympic course which is being built in Essex.

Dalby will miss out on hosting the UK stage of the World Cup next May as the event will be used as a dry run on the new course to prepare for London 2012.

Tickets to take part in the Dalby Dare, which includes a weekend spectator pass, are available priced 33.50.

For general spectators single day passes are available for Saturday and Sunday, as well as full weekend passes to watch the whole event.

A full itinerary for the three day World Cup and ticket information is available at www.mtbworldcup.co.uk