One of the country’s toughest mountain bike challenges kicks off this Saturday, with a local rider hoping to do the region proud.

Steve Rankine will fly the flag for Douglas when he rides as part of the Tenni’s – Cairns Home Loans Racing Team in the 2013 Crocodile Trophy mountain bike challenge.

The course presents one of the toughest terrains in mountain biking in Australia, setting off from Smithfield from 12pm Saturday, tracking through the Atherton Tablelands, Mount Mulligan, north of Palmer River to Laura, Hopevale and finishing at Cooktown in a nine-day test of endurance.

Riders have come from countries including Austria, Czech Republic, Belgium, South Africa, Canada, the US and New Zealand to take part, Australians including Simon Gillett of the Amy Gillett Foundation riding in the masters .

Rankine is proudly sponsored by one of the town’s most dedicated cycling sponsors, PD Bikeworks.