Entries for the End to End Mountain Bike Challenge this Sunday are a little down on recent years.

The total number of riders is 570, but that includes quite a number completing the half-distance event from st john’s to port erin.

Sponsored for the first time by Bikestyle, the event includes an e-bike class for the first time this year. A total of 16 riders on battery-powered machines have entered.

In addition, 30 youth riders will ride the shorter course, along with 48 adults. That will be a massed start from st john’s at 11.45am.

A total of 476 riders are set to ride the full course, leaving the Point of Ayre at 9.30am.

for the second year, this will follow the coastal stretch through the sand dunes south-west of the point as far as smeale, where it will then turn inland and follow the road to ballacry.

After ascending Ballaugh Plantation, the race will follow a more familiar route via Glion Gill to Ballacraine, St John’s, Barnell, Arrasey, Glen Rushen, Eary Cushlin, the Sloc, Ballarosk and Bradda to the finish on Port Erin promenade.

Leading riders include Alex Rockwell, Danny Curtis, Ross Thorley, Mark Cringle and Brendan Downey in the men’s and Kirree Quayle and Lizzie Holden in the women’s.

Registration will take place at Bikestyle’s new premises on North Quay, Douglas tomorrow (Friday) from 4-7pm and again on Saturday 5 to 7pm.