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Taking the Test

Test of Metal's 2013 edition fast approaching

Only three male riders in the race's 17-year history have won back-to-back years at the 67-kilometre epic known as the Test of Metal.

Squamish's Neal Kindree is hoping to re-enter that distinguished list on June 15 at this year's race.

Kindree regained his Test crown last year in an incredibly wet race and if he manages to pull out another win, he becomes the first person to do it twice.

He won back-to-back crowns in 2006 and '07 but it was Whistler's Chad Miles who set the standard for back-to-back wins, taking first place in 1999 and 2000. Victoria's Max Plaxton is the only other rider to have triumphed in consecutive years, having won in 2008 and '09.

Kindree has already had a strong 2013 season, winning both the Orecrusher and the Nimby Fifty last month. But he may have an emerging rival in local rider Quinn Moberg.

The former Team Squamish rider placed third at the Orecrusher and fifth at the Nimby Fifty and told The Chief back in May that he's gunning for Kindree and the Test of Metal championship.

"I've got my eyes on the Test of Metal," he said. "I want to take his title belt. He has to get that title fight for the Test and I think I can give it to him. I really want to win that race."

Final preparations for the race are well underway but race organizers said they're still looking for volunteers. More than 300 people donate their time to help out with the race every year and positions include: course marshalls, first aid, start/finish line setup and feed station duty. Anyone wanting to help out can find out more information on www.testofmetal.com.

This year's race will also have a distinct local flavour after all 200 locals-only spots were snagged over a three-day period back in December.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Test of Metal weekend without the Friday Night Pre-Test Party and the Mini-Metal on Sunday morning.

For more information on the race, visit www.testofmetal.com.

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