Paul Burns, Terry Halpin, Ken Payne, Mark Norden and James Sloan have qualified for the 2016 Gran Fondo World Championships in Perth on Sunday.

Sanctioned by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the Gran Fondo (big ride) series comprises a number of events around the world, with the top 25 per cent of placings eligible to compete in the world titles.

Halpin, Payne and Burns, who are part of The Bended Elbow cycling team, achieved their qualification at Amy’s Gran Fondo in Lorne last September and have been preparing for Perth ever since.

“This is the first time it’s been held in Australia for a number of years, so we decided it would be good to do,” Payne said.

He and Halpin will join more than 120 riders in the 55-59 years category for the 105 kilometre road race while Burns, 70, is happy to contest his own age group.

“I qualified in the 65-plus, which is hard, but they’ve got enough numbers this year to run this as a 70-plus,” Burns said.

Former formula one world champion Alain Prost is a notable name among the 60-64 years riders.

Payne said the Border trio had been training and competing hard ahead of the world championships and hoped to stay with the front group of riders during the race.

“We believe it will be very stiff competition.” he said.

“It’s been a big build-up for it so we’re really looking forward to the event.”