Event participants will be able to camp on-site before and after the event or stay in nearby Sandy Hollow or Denman, the ideal vantage points to explore the Upper Hunter Valley and Muswellbrook Shire.

The entire series will include five more races in the Sydney and Newcastle regions, as well as at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra. 

Rocky Trail Entertainment’s race director Martin Wisata said they would look to reward as many riders as possible.

“We will be looking after and welcoming our elite racers as we have in previous years and our focus in 2015 is to deliver a series that is less of a winners-only-focused competition, but a positive and inclusive experience for all participants,” he said.

The SHIMANO MTB Grand Prix Series is in its seventh year in 2015.

Under the patronage of SHIMANO Cycling Australia and with its host of major sponsors and supporters it has grown to one of the major cross-country endurance racing series in Australia.

It will be the third time that this event will be hosted by James Estate and the race organisers from Rocky Trail Entertainment will once again put together a 10-kilometre loop right through the vineyards, past the Cellar Door and into the fantastic bush MTB trail network. 

The 10-kilometre track was designed by James Estate’s general manager Graeme Scott.

The event organiser also confirmed that the “voice of cycling in Australia”, Mike Tomalaris from SBS Cycling Central will be the official race MC and is said to look forward to some off-road action. 

Racers can sign up online to compete for four or seven hours solo or ride the circuit course in teams - the entry fee includes a complementary bottle of James Estate wine and free rider photos by OuterImage.com.au

Entry for spectators and camping is free.

Rocky Trail Entertainment also offers free kids activities on race-day with games, colouring-in competitions and a kids’ race.