The Bendigo International Madison, one of the biggest races in the southern hemisphere, is shaping up to be another cracking event. 

ND: For many in the cycling fraternity this is the grand final.

So many superstars have won the Madison over the years, and there's been the occasional upset or two along the way.

The victory by Bendigo's Sam Crome and Dutch ace Roy Pieters a year ago was one of the classics.

A lot of the focus is on the big guns such as Glenn O'Shea, Jack Bobridge, Leif Lampater, Christian Grassman, Graeme Brown and Sam Welsford, but they will be wary of what the lesser-ranked teams can do.

A carnival like this does not happen by accident.

A lot of credit has to to go to the organising committee, volunteers, competitors and of course, the fans.

KA: Putting on big sporting events is what Bendigo does best and the Madison is no different. 

So many volunteers have put in countless amounts of hours into making the Madison one of the best events on the athletics-cycling calendar each year. 

Who do you think will be the team to beat on Sunday night? Can Glenn O'Shea win his third crown?  

ND: Because they are multiple world champions in track racing, Bobridge and O'Shea are going to be extremely tough to beat.

They have everything strong madison teams need - pace, strength and mental toughness.

I will tip O'Shea to add a third victory just over a week after being named joint winner with yachting champion Glenn Ashby in the 50th Bendigo Bank Bendigo Advertiser-Prime 7 Sports Star of the Year award.

Which teams do you see as their greatest threats, Magpie? 

KA: Well it is hard to go past the likes of O'Shea and Bobridge, two talented cyclists, who know what it takes to win. 

The German cyclists Leif Lampater and Christian Grassman may also be in with a chance. 

In the women's event, Macey Stewart and her team-mate Lauren Perry will no doubt enter the race as favourites. 

Stewart has had a spectacular 12 months since she last raced in Bendigo, winning multiple world titles. 

ND: Macey really knows how to race. She won two gold at the world junior track titles and then won another title at the junior worlds.

The women's madison is one of many highlights on Saturday night.

Stewart and Perry will not have it all their own way.

Bendigo's Tayla Evans has a great record in her home-track madison.

On the athletics front the Black Pearl women's 400m, Black Opal 400m, and the Bendigo Thousand 120m are three highly-sought victories.

KA: It would be great to see a local take out the title, especially in-front of what should be packed arena. 

It is also a big weekend for the Bendigo Spirit, they face rivals Townsville in the WNBL grand final. 

It's going to be a tough ask, but they have the talent to get the job done. 

Hopefully they have learned from their disappointing semi-final and bring home the trophy.