This weekend sees the MTB World Championships take place in Val di Sole in Italy and in this the first of two posts I’ll examine the contenders for the Cross Country races. This years event has added significance as many nations will use it as part of their selection process for the up coming Olympics. Thus racers are pushing hard for an Olympic berth but likewise some riders will be looking to peak for Beijing rather than the World Champs so question marks remain over many riders form. Eitherway the challenging Val Di Sole course will no doubt produce some top class racing this weekend.

Mens Elite Cross Country

Julian Absalon.

4 time World champion Absalon goes into the race as favourtite despite a n 11th place at Andorra and a DNS at Fort William as he prepared for this race. This is the same tactic employed by the cany Frenchman for last years World Champs in Scotland when he withdrew from racing for two months mid season to prepare specifically for the event. Absalon stated as early as the press conference following his World Championship victory last year that his goals for this season were to retain the rainbow jersey and defend his Olympic gold. His comitment to the rainbow jersey is absolute and he stated last year that he sees it as the most important race of the season. He will surely be thinking that he has time to regain peak conditioning for the Olympics following the event so I would expect to see a strong race from him.

Absalon won the opening three rounds of the World Cup series before a strange dip in form but he excels on the technical trails on offer in Val di Sole and if conditions remain wet he would have to be odds on favourite. The course is widely refuted to be similar to the Offenburg course in Germany which Absalon won at in round two of the World Cup series this year.

Jose Hermida Ramos

The Spainish Merida Multivan rider will be looking to put on the elusive rainbow jersey this weekend and despite his aweful record with mechanicals, remains perhaps Absalons biggest threat.

Christoph Sauser

The first of the Swiss contenders is the Specialized rider Sauser who despite a poor season last year has shown a return to the form that saw him take the overall in the World Cup in 2004 and 2005.

He took first place at the Andorra round of the World Cup and third place in Fort William behind two compatriots. A near cert for one of the Swiss Olympic spots Sauser has really been turning it on of late and could be standing on the top step this weekend to gain the rainbow jersey that has so far elluded him in his career.

Florian Vogel

The Swisspower rider had the best result of his career with a win in Fort William on the 7th of June and could be coming into the event on top form. Third place in last years World Championships in Fort William shows he has the skills to stay with the top men but I fear the course will not suit him as it is much more technical than Fort William. Could podium and is another favourite for a Swiss Olympic berth so could go hard with this extra motivation.

There are of course many other contenders and anything is possible. Americans Wells and Craig will be keen to wrap up their Olympic spots and Candian Geoff Kabush has been enjoying a spectacular run of form but I don’t expect to see any of them on the podium. Similarly Swiss rider Ralph Naf stood on the second step last year and has had some good results this year but nothing that warrents an expected win. His Swisspower teammate Nino Schurter would be heavily favoured to at least podium except that he will start the U-23 race where he is expected to win.

Wemons Elite Cross Country

The female field is one of the most open in years with many possible contenders for the rainbow jersey.

Irina Kalentieva

Russian champion and returning World champion Irina Kalentieva is heavily favoured as she is something of a technical specialist. The diminutive rider has been having a good season with a win at Offenburg in Germany and a second in Houfallize. Recently however a sinus problem has seen her recuperating but this may be to her advantage if she can arrive in Italy rested.

Marie-Héléne Prémont

The Rocky mountain rider currently leads the standings of the wemons World Cup and has been one of the most consistant riders all season culminating in a win at Fort William on the 7th of June. Already assured of her Olymic spot Premont can concentrate on attempting to reach the top step.

Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå

2008 has been a mixed year for the 6 time World Champion Norwegian. Returning from a wash out year of 2007 after being hit with a serious virus, Dahle Flesjå, surprised herself with a win at the Madrid round of the World Cup and could be one of the strongest mentally when it comes to the race whatever about doubts over her long term fitness. Despite an early mechanical affecting her rear brake at the Fort William World Cup which required its replacement, Dahle Flesjå rode from the back of the field to still take eigth so must be taken seriously on Sunday. Beijing remains one of her main goals for the season as she regains her fitness and doubtless she would like to retain her Olympic gold won at the 2004 Athens games, but she must also be looking to reclaim the rainbow jersey. She is my tip for the race.

Sabine Spitz

The german rider has riden to the Silver medal before and could be a threat given her strength on technical courses. Perhaps not quite strong enough for the top step?

Again many others could be in the mix. Watch out for Spains Marga Fullana in particular and Georgia Gould from the US who must be due a top ride soon. Don’t count out the Chinese either although arguably their best riders race in the U-23.