Port Macquarie’s World Champion will put another title on the line at the when he defends his crown JetBlack twenty four hours Sydney Race, starting tomorrow.

The race is the only event in NSW that is also a qualifying event for the 2010 World Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championship, in Australia in October.

But English has already qualified for the world champs.

“I am planning to do several qualifying races like this one so I can practice and get different strategies on different tracks,” English said.

The school teaching cyclist could be excused for thinking he had a target on his back with other riders wanting desperately to beat the world champ.

But this time he attacks a race with a new sponsor, JetBlack Cycling and Pivot bikes, to assist him forward.

“It is the closest race to me (in Port Macquarie) and I can’t wait to try out my new bikes,” the 29-year-old said.

“We require two bikes to perform well so I will be racing on two new high end bikes.

“They’ve got all the top gear including Fox forks.”

This year organisers are expecting 450 riders from around NSW, Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland and the ACT to challenge English for the title.