Yesterday Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan pledged $60,000 of the state’s money to the inaugural Terra Australis — Great Southern Land Mountain Bike Epic.

The seven-day, 550km seven-stage mountain bike race through Victoria’s High Country is expected to attract at least 150 riders this year and grow to almost 500 competitors from around the world in coming years.

Already two entries have been received from the US for this year’s race.

The tour that starts in late March will have stage finishes in Mount Beauty, Dinner Plain, Bright, Beechworth and Wangaratta.

“This new annual event will be Australia’s largest mountain bike event and will capitalise on the growth and popularity of cycling and endurance events,” Ms Allan said.

“About 150 teams of pro and amateur riders from Australia and overseas will be competing, including Australian Olympian Dan McConnell.

“Over the next five years it’s expected to attract at least 500 riders.

“The organisers hope to develop the race into a high-profile, international event, modelled closely on international cycling events the Trans Alp (Europe), Trans Rockies (Canada) and Cape Epic (South Africa).”

One of those organisers and course designer, Paul Fitzgerald, believes the race will only get bigger.

“The Cape Epic has a cap of 2000 and a waiting list of about the same,” he said.

“But this is a tough course, most of it is on dirt tracks but there is a bit of bitumen in it, when you are riding 550km across the mountains you have to use some roads.

“The third day will be a real highlight with the riders basically falling out of the alps in a 68km ride from Dinner Plain down to Bright.”

“The concept is really the brainchild of Mount Beauty’s Iain Moore. I’m just riding the trails and getting the tracks ready.”

The bike tour starts on March 29 with a 79km leg that will take riders from Falls Creek to Mount Beauty.