Swiss duel for victory? Record for eternity?

Nino Schurter (SUI) has already proven that he knows how to win in Lenzerheide several times in World Cup races and also at the 2018 World Championships. Now the man who has won almost everything is just one victory short of becoming the sole record holder for the most individual World Cup victories. He currently shares the record of 33 victories with Frenchman Julien Absalon. Cracking number 34 in his home race of all places would certainly make the whole thing even more special.

"The home World Cup is always something very special for me. Racing in front of a home crowd, friends and family is always even more motivating. Especially because, after the Covid-19 crisis, we can finally compete in front of a full crowd again. It would be a dream come true to break the record in Lenzerheide. But a lot of things have to come together and luck has to be on my side. If not now, I'm confident that it will work out somewhere else sooner or later. A great race on my part without a win would be absolutely fine. I think Lenzerheide offers the best World Cup course. There's a bit of everything there. Only an absolutely complete rider can win here. It's quite possible that the biggest competition will once again come from your own country. After all, I'm not the only Swiss who wants to win here," says Nino Schurter

Another Swiss rider could actually thwart the record hunt. Mathias Flückiger, reigning Swiss champion and overall World Cup winner in 2021, has found his form just in time for the World Cup in Graubünden after a weak start to the season and is considered the hottest contender for victory alongside Schurter. Thanks to his hard-fought victory at the World Cup in Leogang, he has now moved up to third place in the overall World Cup.

"I really like the course in Lenzerheide. It's technical and varied. This year, it's always the same five or six riders that you have to reckon with. And with Nino in Lenzerheide anyway. But that also makes it exciting and cool. I'm actually hoping for a duel between the two of us like in Leogang. There are many others who are also very keen to win the World Cup, but I could imagine that the top places will ultimately be decided between the two of us. A home World Cup is always something special. I've been on the podium there two or three times, but not yet at the top. There are two important races for me this year: one is of course the World Championships and the other is the World Cup in Lenzerheide. That's why I'm really looking forward to it." - Mathias Flückiger

McConnell or Lecomte? Is that the dominant question this season

A favorite has also made a strong comeback in the elite women's race after a weak start to the season: The reigning overall World Cup winner Loana Lecomte (FRA) impressively showed in her World Cup victory in Saalfelden Leogang that she is on her way to top form. It was not only the Australian Rebecca McConnell, current overall World Cup leader and runner-up at last year's World Cup in Lenzerheide, who lost out, but also several other top skiers. Only Lenzerheide favorite Jenny Rissveds (SWE) managed to keep up with the Frenchwoman to some extent. The Swiss riders Jolanda Neff, Alessandra Keller and Sina Frei, who were particularly convincing in the newly created Cross-Country Short Track Overall World Cup, are also likely to start with an extra dose of motivation.

First decisions on Friday evening

Over the sprint distance, Rebecca McConnell is also currently leading the elite women's field, followed by a consistently strong Alessandra Keller and the steadily improving Loana Lecomte. In the men's race, Luca Schwarzbauer (GER) currently has a razor-thin lead over Mathias Flückiger, who has moved to within three points of the German after his XCC and XCO double victory in Saalfelden Leogang. Last year in Lenzerheide, the Swiss only had to admit defeat to Henrique Avancini (BRA).

Will Balanche and Pierron extend their lead?

The Downhill World Cup seems to be firmly in Swiss and French hands at the moment. With two wins from three races, Camille Balanche (SUI) and Amaury Pierron (FRA) have both been at the top of the overall World Cup standings since the start of the season. While the Swiss racer only had to concede to Nina Hoffmann (GER) in Fort William, but found her way back into victory lane at the race in Leogang, Pierron had to settle for fifth place for the first time in Austria after a perfect start to the season, while Brit Matt Walker won his first World Cup race.

The competition is fierce in both elite competitions. In the women's competition, world champion and defending Lenzerheide title holder Myriam Nicole (FRA) and reigning overall World Cup winner Valentina Höll (AUT) are waiting for their first win of the season. In the men's competition, several riders are in contention alongside Matt Walker. Danny Hart (GBR), Benoit Coulanges (FRA) and Laurie Greenland (GBR) as well as Loic Bruni (FRA), who has returned from injury, are all keen to add their names to the 2022 winners' list.

Bike Kingdom Games + 10 years of the bike park in Lenzerheide = party galore!

When the Bike Kingdom Games coincide with the tenth anniversary of the bike park in Lenzerheide, there is of course also plenty of action away from the cross-country and downhill trails. Directly after the XCC races on Friday evening, the "Send It Jump Show" will take place, where the riders will show via ramp and landing bag that mountain bikes don't just provide excitement and spectacle with their tires on the ground.

The Saturday "Whip Off" contest is also all about letting the bikes fly. The contest is open to everyone - registration is possible in advance and on site. A jury consisting of Emilie Siegenthaler, Tarek Rasouli and Claudio Caluori will choose the "Best Trick", "Best Whip" and "Fans Favorite".

But it's not just the grown-ups who get their money's worth with a party atmosphere featuring various live bands and DJs. The little ones are also well catered for with the Steinböckli Cup and the Kids Area.
The detailed program and tickets are available online at bikekingdomgames.ch.