The quintet, consisting of Deb Hennessey, Tracey Green, Greg Linsdell, Ashley Stapley and Simon Bank will compete in the event held in Perth this Sunday.

Club president Greg Linsdell said it would be the first time the event has been held in Australia for a number of years.

“It’s a great opportunity to take part in a world level event on our doorstep,” he said.

To earn the right to compete on the world stage the cyclists had to qualify at one of the 15 Gran Fondo World Series events held around the world in the last 12 months, which included events in Victoria, Perth, New Zealand and England.

The race will see the riders take on the best from around the world over the challenging road course.

The 106-kilometre women’s course contains seven climbs totaling 1250 metres of vertical elevation, while the 154-kilometre men’s course contains 10 climbs totaling a leg burning 2010 metres of elevation gain.

Bank has been preparing for the hilly course, most notably riding several times to Comboyne, even when the thermometer was reading zero degrees.

“The timing of the event sees southern hemisphere riders putting in a lot of training at the coldest time of the year,” he said.

“In the lead up to Perth I have been training five to six days a week, covering around 450 kilometres. My training rides generally start at 4.30am and go for two to three hours, to fit around family and work commitments.”

The Port Macquarie cycling community and town in general wish all the cyclists the best of luck on Sunday. Anyone wishing to follow the race or results can do so at https://www.granfondoworldchampsperth.com.au.