ORANGE Cycle and Triathlon Club president Steve Martin has a few tricks up his sleeve as Orange attempts to knock Mudgee off its perch in the Central West Inter-Club Triathlon Series.

Mudgee overtook Orange in the final round of last year’s series to claim their 11th club championship title in the 12 year history of the competition.

It was the second year running Orange led heading into the final round only for Mudgee to make a late charge to the title in their home event.

In a bid to oust Mudgee from top spot, Martin has a couple of plans to help Orange claim an elusive title when the series starts in Dubbo next Sunday.

He is expecting nearly 20 competitors to head to Dubbo from Orange and they will be keen to open the series well.

“Everyone is fairly keen to knock Mudgee off,” Martin said. “It was a bit closer last year. We were leading heading into the final round in Mudgee but they just had too many people.”

People power is the key in this series as high competitor numbers help clubs secure more club championship points.

Orange is also hoping their ranks will be boosted later in the series, including the fourth round at Lake Canobolas on February 21, by Kinross Wolaroi School triathletes.

Martin is keen to see the Kinross students compete under the Orange banner as their home round will be staged a week before the NSW All Schools triathlon.

The Central West Inter-Club Triathlon Series starts in Dubbo on January 17 before moving to Bathurst on January 31. Cowra will host round three on February 7, with the Orange round on February 21. The series will culminate with the final round in Mudgee on March 7.