Defending Australian elite women’s champion and national series winner Leanna Curtis is in a battle against veteran two-time Australian Olympians Caroline Buchanan and Lauren Reynolds.

Siblings Kai and Saya Sakakibara will also take their shot at glory in the elite men and women’s junior elite categories respectively at the week long event that will feature almost 1800 riders from 94 clubs nationwide.

Buchanan and Reynolds took time off after their Rio campaigns that ended in the semi-finals and Curtis said she was not willing to give her Australian title away without a fight.

“They are our two Olympians and are always really strong and riding really well,” Curtis said.

“Defending my national title will be a big challenge but I definitely feel up for it.” 

Kai Sakakibara has had a solid season, slugging it out with national series winner Matt Juster all year and will now also face Rio Olympians Anthony Dean and Bodi Turner.

“My preparation has been going great,” Kai said.

“I started off the national series season a little rough but from there I have been able to build up my pace bit by bit. My riding has been improving at every national round, so I am very confident and excited about the national championships.”

The final round of the grands assault national series on Wednesday, championship events with the elite classes are on Saturday.