Olympic champion Julien Absalon wants to defend last year's victory
Most of the top cracks still have fond memories of last year's race. The weather was crazy and almost washed the riders off their bikes in constant rain and thunderstorms. But the capricious weather didn't bother one rider: Olympic champion Julien Absalon from France demonstrated his skills even in adverse conditions and took a commanding victory ahead of Switzerland's Ralph Näf and Lukas Flückiger. Now the three-time world champion (2004, 2005, 2006) is determined to repeat his victory. "I really like the race in Bern and, of course, the Hors Category class makes it feel like a World Cup. You really want to win a race like this!", said the smart Frenchman, adding with a smile "but I don't mind if it's nice weather this year!"

World Championship qualifying race / European Championship rematch
For many riders, tickets for the World Championships, which take place from September 4 to 9 in Fort Williams, Scotland, are also at stake in Bern. It is therefore not surprising that all the European champions will be competing in Bern. The Swisspower Cup in Bern has an even better line-up than the European Championships recently held in Turkey. In addition to the European Championship medal winners, the Americans and New Zealanders will also be competing in Bern, as well as the Swiss riders Sauser, Näf and Frischknecht, who decided not to take part in the European Championships. It will also be interesting to see the revenge of World Cup leader Irina Kalentieva, who was beaten by Sabine Spitz at the European Championships. The same naturally also applies to Julien Absalon, who was narrowly beaten by Jose Hermida at the European Championships. It will also be interesting to see how the U23 European champions Nino Schurter and Eva Lechner perform in the men's and women's fields respectively. Both are expected to be able to ride for the podium places in the elite category as well. The overall ranking of the Swisspower Cup, which is led by Julien Absalon and Sabine Spitz, will probably remain secondary in Bern. It's more about holding your own against the best riders in the world and creating a good starting position for the World Championships.

Golden book: only big winners in Bern
The list of winners of the Bern Mountain Bike Race has so far only included some of the biggest names in the sport. Christoph Sauser from the Bernese Oberland won the premiere on the Gurten. Sauser is a seven-time Swiss champion and has already won the overall World Cup ranking twice. In 2005, the Spaniard Jose Hermida was the lucky winner, Hermida won the European title for the second time a week ago. And last year it was the great dominator of recent years - Julien Absalon. The 27-year-old Frenchman has been one of the best riders the sport of mountain biking has ever had since his junior days. And who will win this year? The list of potential contenders for victory is bigger than ever before. So it will be interesting to see.

The good cause: biking for the bear park
The "Bike for Bear Park", which will be held on Saturday at the end of the first day of the event, will focus on the planned new bear park. On a very easy, short route on the Gurten-Kulm, which makes no demands on fitness and technique, money will be raised for this project for each lap. Numerous celebrities from the worlds of sport, politics and business are also taking part in the "Bike for Bärenpark" race.

Saturday, August 4, 2007
10.00 Start Kids 11/12 years
11.00 Start Kids 13/14 years
12.00 Start Kids 15/16 years
13.20 Start Marathon 45km
13.30 Start beginner marathon 23km
13.35 Start Kids 6-10 years
18.40 Start Bike for Bärenpark

Sunday, August 5, 2007
09.00 Start juniors
09.05 Start amateurs
11.30 Start elite women
11.35 Start juniors
14.00 Start elite men