Bay of Plenty's mountain biking community will once again get to host the world's elite international Enduro racers.

Whakarewarewa Forest will be the venue for the opening leg of next year's Enduro World Series.

Josh Carlson during the Giant TOA Enduro at Crankworx in Rotorua 2016, New Zealand. Photo: Clint Trahan/Crankworx.

Part of the ever-expanding Crankworx Rotorua festival, the GIANT Toa Enduro brings more athletes, more stars and more industry power back to New Zealand as the eyes of the world tune in, and teams from around the world descend on Rotorua's volcanic wonderland.

Crankworx general manager Darren Kinnaird says the Enduro World Series is the 'epitome” of the sport.

'It's adventurous. It's competitive. And it is helping to grow a sector of mountain biking, which athletes can take part in at every level. This is where mountain biking is going and we're thrilled Crankworx Rotorua will be able to host a stop.”

Dropping onto the area's fern-crusted loam March 25 – 26, Rotorua's famous 'dirt gold” will have the honour of opening the eight-stop season as the GIANT Toa Enduro launches a circuit with stops in Australia, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, France, United States, Canada and Italy.

'Enduro riding and trail riding is Rotorua. That's what we're known for, and to have the world's biggest enduro event here just feels right. Bringing in the EWS means Crankworx fans get to see all the top riders in the world sit on our cool shores and ride our cool trails,” says Crankworx Rotorua Event Organizer Tak Mutu.

Enduro is the fastest growing competitive discipline of mountain biking in the world says Tak. It combines a series of short downhill races, or stages.

Featuring both professional and amateur riders, the event sanctions qualifying events in order for highly competitive amateur athletes to compete in the same event as the most elite riders.

Race delivery for next year, will be co-ordinated by Tim Farmer, of Nduro Events, and the Crankworx Rotorua team.

After a successful two years, Crankworx will expand to become a nine-day festival this spring—dates to be announced at the end of the summer.

The festival contributed $8 million to the Rotorua economy in 2016, and 4.6 million viewers tuned in internationally to its broadcast and highlight replays.

'It's a natural progression to go longer to fit more events in,” says Tak.