The most difficult competition in mountain biking is about to kick off for another year, with the first event in the series being held in Rotorua this weekend.

Taking the battle to the next level, 2018 will see the crowning of a Royal Family of the Crankworx World Tour.

As in past years, the King and Queen will be named at the end of the season. They'll each receive $20,000 CAD for their efforts, while for the first time the second place overall riders will receive $10,000 CAD each, and third overall will each receive $5,000 CAD.

Other changes for this year include the addition and re-introduction of some key events, such as an all-new DH race in Rotorua, Dual Slaloms in Rotorua and Les Gets, and the return of the Whip-Off to the points battle across the tour.

Overall, points are up for grabs at 30 events for men and 22 for women.

Some top contenders have thrown their names in the hat for this years battle; on the women's side reigning Queen Jill Kintner (USA) returns again.

Other female competitors include Casey Brown (CAN), Tahnée Seagrave (GBR), Emilie Siegenthaler (SUI), Vaea Verbeeck (CAN), and Cecile Ravanel (FRA), who won't be competing in Rotorua but will be on the hunt for points when the Crankworx World Tour hits Europe.

Noticeably absent from this list is 2017's second runner up Caroline Buchanan (AUS) who's recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident.

As for the men, defending King Adrien Loron (FRA) will be back at it, as will Tomas Slavik (CZE), Sam Blenkinsop (NZL), Barry Nobles (USA), Bas van Steenbergen (CAN), Austin Warren (USA), Bernard Kerr (GBR), who's out in Rotorua with a broken foot but hoping to get back in the game in Europe, and, similarly, Jack Moir, who'll be missing Crankworx Rotorua with a back injury.

For 2018, competitions include:

Crankworx Rotorua - March 17-25, 2018 Giant Toa Enduro presented by CamelBak Official Oceania Whip-Off Championships presented by SPANK Mons Royale Dual Speed & Style Rotorua Crankworx Rotorua Air DH RockShox Rotorua Pump Track Challenge presented by Torpedo7 Crankworx Rotorua Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza Crankworx Rotorua Downhill Redwoods Downhill 100% Dual Slalom Rotorua

Crankworx Innsbruck - June 13-17, 2018 Official Alpine Whip-Off Championships presented by SPANK RockShox Innsbruck Pump Track Challenge Mons Royale Dual Speed & Style Innsbruck Crankworx Innsbruck Slopestyle presented by Kenda iXS Innsbruck Downhill presented by Raiffeisen Club

Crankworx Les Gets - June 20-24, 2018 Official European Whip-Off Championships presented by SPANK Muc-Off Dual Speed & Style Les Gets RockShox Les Gets Pump Track Challenge Crankworx Les Gets Slopestyle Crankworx Les Gets Downhill Crankworx Les Gets Mont-Chéry DH 100% Dual Slalom Les Gets

Crankworx Whistler - August 10-19, 2018 CamelBak Canadian Open Enduro presented by Specialized Canadian Open DH presented by iXS CLIF Dual Speed & Style presented by Muc-Off Fox Air DH Garbanzo DH 100% Dual Slalom Whistler Official Whip-Off World Championships presented by SPANK Red Bull Joyride RockShox Ultimate Pump Track Challenge

Kicking things off in Rotorua, all eyes will be on certain key events, including the Giant Toa Enduro presented by CamelBak, with an impressive 225 points on offer for top finishers, the all-new Redwoods DH, bringing the total number of Downhill events in Rotorua to an unprecedented three.

The 100% Dual Slalom Rotorua is also making its debut in the Southern Hemisphere this year, along with the 'bigger and better” RockShox Rotorua Pump Track Challenge presented by Torpedo7.

According to course builder Adam King of Empire of Dirt, the team is tasked with re-imagining the iconic Crankworx course.

For details of how the battles are shaping up, check out the details on Pinkbike and get the details on the Crankworx Rotorua live webcast schedule.