Ian Leitch is targeting a top 10 finish at this weekend’s XTERRA World Championship in Maui, Hawaii.  

Leitch is among 75 professionals set to go head-to-head with 475 amateurs.  

The world’s premier off-road triathlon combines a 1.5km swim, 32km mountain bike ride that climbs 3,000 feet up and down the lower slopes of Haleakala and a 12km trail run that traverses lava rock, forest trails, and beach sand.

Spaniard Eneko Llanos added a third world crown to his collection in 2009, while Brit Julie Dibens is out to defend her women’s title.

Leitch claimed the 2010 XTERRA Japan crown and finished eighth overall in the XTERRA European Tour, with top 10 finishes in the Czech Republic and Switzerland.

But the Bike Magic regular is wary of the quality field that will be out in force on Sunday.

“The field is stacked so a top 10 will be really tough but I am feeling good and my swimming has improved a lot,” said Leitch.

“I had a little duathlon at the weekend as a final sharpener before weight watching through this week.”