Bilton was one of the stars for the Piranhas in the opening leg at Lake Canobolas in November, finishing second male past the post to begin the year with a bang.

Mark Windsor won the round one duel, and with Mudgee’s Matt Webster not far behind either in third any of the three stand-outs are capable of winning.

Bilton, 17, is expecting a tough race at Dubbo’s Ollie Robbins Oval, with the swim in the Macquarie River.

“Matt Webster and Mark Windsor have been on fire,” Bilton said.

“And as Mark put it, he’s a grandfather, it’s incredible to see some of the times he’s doing in races.

“He’s a great competitor and it’s going to be a great race.”

Orange takes a lead into the Dubbo round of the 2016-17 series with 5 points, ahead of the next best performing clubs in Mudgee (4 points), Dubbo (3 points), Bathurst (2 points) and Cowra (1 point).

The nature of this year’s point-score means the whole season will be close, and Bilton’s focus was on helping the Piranhas keep ahead of the pack and claim back-to-back titles.

“I’d love to keep touch with the leaders throughout the series as well,” he said, looking at personal goals for the summer.

The Dubbo inter-club will put competitors through a 550 metre swim, 18 kilometre cycle leg and 4km run, all three discplines slightly shorter than round one at Orange.

Bilton was hopeful of dominating his preferred leg on the bike.

Registration will commence at 7.30am.