TWO Isle of Man residents are taking part in one of the world’s toughest mountain bike races, in Colorado next week.

John Quinn, an employee of Microgaming, the online gaming software company, and fellow Manxman Gary Johnston, are taking on the challenge of the Leadville 100 Marathon Mountain Bike Race in Colorado on Saturday August 13.

The event - for which entry is by ballot system - covers 100 miles across the high-altitude, extreme terrain of the Colorado Rockies, with a total elevation change of approximately 14,000 feet.

Referred to as the 'Race across the Sky', due to the altitude, the event was created for only the most determined athletes and has a tough 12 hour time limit. Recent previous winners have included 7-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong (2009) and Levi Leipheimer (2010).

Microgaming and the Isle of Man’s national cycling team have donated a cycling kit for both John and Gary to compete in, and they will proudly be flying the Manx cycling flag during the international challenge.

“For a long time The Leadville 100 has been a mountain bike race that I have wanted to participate in,” said John Quinn. “The high-altitude and extreme terrain of the Colorado Rockies has meant only the most determined athletes take it on and I like a challenge!

“This year we were lucky to get an entry through the ballot system and since February we have trained an average of five times a week with a final endurance ride of over seven hours. Following a structured training plan, we will hopefully arrive at the start line fresh and raring to go, but with enough mileage to get to the finish.    

“I would like to express my gratitude to Microgaming who have not only been supportive and flexible during my training for this event, but for also kindly sponsoring our race kit.”

The mighty duo have endured a heavy training schedule and are also making use of the hyperbaric chamber in order to prepare for the extreme altitude. They fly out on August 6 to acclimatise to the altitude.