An entry of more than 160 riders is preparing for the Manx 100 this Sunday, the second in succession to host the HSBC British Cycling National MTB Marathon Championship.

Almost 40 will tackle the main event, mostly from the UK, but several locals are likely to be in the reckoning.

Commonwealth Games rider Nick Corlett will definitely be in the overall mix, and Brendan Downey could also be top-10, while Stephen Kelly, Adrian Beale and Emma Atkinson are likely to be well up in the age group categories.

Defending British champion, Tom Bell, will be defending his jersey, but he will have plenty of opposition with virtually all of last year’s top-10 returning.

The fact that this is a single lap 100km event over natural terrain makes it a bigger challenge for the visiting riders.

Women’s champion Amy Souter is also defending her jersey, but will be under threat from five-time British champion Sally Bigham.

There are 161 entrants over all events - 100 mile, 100km (BC and Open event) and 50km - with most of the riders starting from the TT Grandstand at 6.30am.

An early road stretch from the start through Onchan will be under a police escort, while the top of Whitebridge to Garey will be closed from 6.30 to 7am.

The event is also hosting the Manx MTB Marathon Championship over the full 100 mile route, with riders likely to be taking between 10 and 15 hours to complete the course.

A greater contingent of locals will tackle the Manx 50 (kilometres) which starts at from St John’s at 2.30pm. This will include 1,750 metres of climbing, while the 100km route has 3,250 metres of ascent and the 100-miler 16,000 feet of climbing. More information on www.manx100.com