The Tailfinger "Bullentäle" is set to become a cauldron on Sunday, June 1, 2014, when the world's best cross-country riders will be battling for position. Several names will be mentioned in the battle for the day's victory. World champion Nino Schurter, World Cup leader and record winner Julien Absalon and reigning Olympic champion Jaroslav Kulhavy are the three big names who are considered to have the best chance of winning the day. With their podium finishes in Nove Mesto, Frenchman Stéphane Tempier and German champion Moritz Milatz have ridden their way into the circle of favorites. The Australian Daniel McConnell and the two BMC riders Lukas Flückiger and Martin Fanger also belong there. Attention should also be paid to the German Manuel Fumic and the Spaniard José Hermida, who can be expected to make an exploit at any time. After their strong performances last weekend, five Swiss riders - Florian Vogel, Fabian Giger, Thomas Litscher and Ralph Näf, as well as Mathias Flückiger - have extended top 10 chances at the start.

Exciting starting position for the women
This year's Cross Country World Cup has produced three different winners in three races. Jolanda Neff in Pietermaritzburg, Eva Lechner in Cairns and Pauline Ferrand-Prevot in Nove Mesto - these three are also among the top contenders in Albstadt. However, a strong wind is blowing against these three riders from Canada's Catherine Pendrel and Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa from Norway. Irina Kalentieva (RUS) and Annika Langvad are among the extended circle of favorites, but Canada's Emily Batty also remains a hot candidate for the podium. Katrin Leumann can enjoy an upward trend after her ninth place in the Czech Republic and can justifiably hope for a top 5 result. After all, the Swiss champion stood on the World Cup podium for the first time a year ago in Albstadt. Kathrin Stirnemann, on the other hand, is an open book. An outstanding sixth in Cairns, the eliminator specialist was unable to match her best performance in Nove Mesto.

Eliminator
In the Eliminator mountain bike sprint discipline, the starting position for the men is fairly open. While the young New Zealander Samuel Gaze snatched victory in the opening race in Cairns, the Slovenian Miha Halzer won in Nove Mesto. European champion Daniel Federspiel and world champion Paul van der Ploeg finished second and third in both races. It is therefore quite possible that one of the two will take victory in Albstadt - or another surprise like Samuel Gaze.

The Swiss sprinters are currently not in such a strong position. Marcel Wildhaber's possibilities are difficult to assess. Although the Swiss eliminator champion is in good form, his tenth place in Nove Mesto is still below his abilities. Stephan Peter is also not yet where he could be and the same applies to Patrick Lüthi. With the absence of European Championship medal winner Sepp Freiburghaus due to injury, the Swiss chances are thinning out even more. Thomas Litscher, on the other hand, significantly increases the chances of a top place.

The women's race looks better. Although Sweden's Alexandra Engen is still unbeaten, Kathrin Stirnemann is on the rise. If things go normally, she is sure to finish on the podium. With a good day, she could even win. With Jenny Rissveds, Sabine Spitz and Eva Lechner, however, there is strong competition on the start list. Swiss riders Aline Seitz, Linda Indergand and Ramona Forchini also have a good chance.www.albstadt-mtb-classic.de

Programme World Cup Albstadt/GER
Friday, May 30, 2014
09.30 - 10.00	World Cup Cross-Country Eliminator - Qualification
from 17.00	World Cup Cross-Country Eliminator - Finals
Saturday, May 31, 2014
10.00 - 14.00	GONSO Albstadt-MTB-Classic - short marathon 23/46 km
13.15	GONSO UCI Juniors Series (XCO) - Juniors
15.00	GONSO UCI Juniors Series (XCO) - Juniors
17.00	World Cup Cross-Country (XCO) - Women U23
Sunday, June 01, 2014
09.30	World Cup Cross-Country (XCO) - Men U23
11.30	World Cup Cross-Country (XCO) - Women Elite
14.00	World Cup Cross-Country (XCO) - Men Elite