In January, pro Vital Albin summed up the World Cup course in Crans-Montana for Ride. There were a few points on his and other pros' wish lists for the World Cup race. The input was taken seriously and implemented, but in some cases a lot was added. "The climbs are now a little easier. Although they are still tough, they no longer look like a snail's pace and also offer good overtaking opportunities," says Albin happily. The course therefore remains extremely selective uphill, and it will be just as selective downhill.

Crans-Montana delighted the participants of the Swiss Championships with some natural off-camber sections, and these will once again be part of the 3.5-kilometre circuit at the World Cup. Albin chooses them as the most beautiful parts of the course. However, the built sections of the course, including the section with the logs, are a real challenge. The logs and other wooden elements dug into the front of the track are slippery when wet and muddy. And the stone passages and drops also visibly challenge the World Cup riders. Some like it, while other riders who struggle with the passages complain that they are too difficult.

"It's pretty certain that some of the top riders will avoid the chicken lines, because you don't want to crash here. It is equally certain that the difficult and direct lines will give the brave ones a clear time advantage," explains the Thömus-Maxon rider and rides on: "Basically, I think it's great how Crans-Montana has invested in the course, the organizers deserve praise. In my opinion, this would not have been necessary to the full extent, especially as the terrain already offers beautiful and natural difficulties.

The fact that the circuit in Crans-Montana is regarded as the most difficult cross-country course of all time does not go down well with everyone. However, the debate is not new and flared up ten years ago when jumps and rock gardens emerged. It reshaped the sport. Also in view of the increasingly potent cross-country bikes, is Crans-Montana raising the bar of what is possible again? "This course really gives us cause to think about the identity of cross-country. On easier courses, modern bikes practically iron out the technical differences between riders. Tracks like this, on the other hand, make differences visible again," concludes Vital Albin.

The race in Crans-Montana is sure to be a spectacle, whether on the main or alternative lines, and even more so with the rain. If you can't watch the races on site,     you can watch the short track races live on SRF zwei from 12:55 on Saturday and stream them in the Sport app. The elite women's and men's cross-country races can be watched live on SRF info and streamed on Sunday from 11:50 am and 2:25 pm. Viewers outside of Switzerland are recommended to use the same channels via VPN providers. 

Program

Saturday, 22. June

• 13:00      UCI Cross-Country Short Track (XCC) - Women Elite
• 13:35     UCI Cross-Country Short Track (XCC) - Men Elite
• 15:30      UCI Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) - Men U23

Sunday, 23. June

• 10:00     UCI Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) - Women U23
• 12:00     UCI Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) - Women Elite
• 14:30     UCI Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) - Men Elite

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