Association national championships over a tough, hilly course at Clearwater Park will be raced within age categories.

That means the under 40-year-olds won't have to compete in the same division as the Island's top time triallists, many of whom, amazingly, are too old for that category.

Heritage Day Classic winner, 58-year-old Jeff Payne will start as a strong favourite based on his performance in time trials this year which have seen him unbeaten at all distances.

And then there's Greg Hopkins, who at 43 is starting to show some of his old form having turned his attention away from the triathlon and back to cycling.

The veterans category appears to be the toughest of all with Payne and Hopkins joined by an in-form Mel Bennett, winner of last weekend's Runway Race at the Airport, as well as formidable triathletes Jim Butterfield, Steve Petty and Granville Gibbons.

Tim Palmer looks to be favourite in the Open category after a strong second place behind Payne in a recent 37-mile time trial. His main competition will come from Wayman Butterfield, who despite a bad crash last Sunday is back in the saddle.

The women's Open division could prove interesting with Melanie Claude up against Julia Hawley and top triathlete Shona Palmer, making a rare appearance this season as she battles to regain fitness after serious back problems.

The sole female veteran is Linda Dillon while Kris Hedges is the only Junior I rider, although both will be hoping to place well overall. Among the Junior II riders, a battle is expected to develop between Tyler Butterfield, Nuri Lathan and Jonathon Herring, and in Junior III between Matthew Herring and Adam Petty.

Some 45 riders have signed up for the 8.00 a.m. event with cyclists having been designated start times one minute apart.

(See Scoreboard for start times).