With the exception of Nino Schurter, the entire Swiss elite will be competing on the newly arranged course with start and finish on the Bünda site. Fabian Giger, Lukas Flückiger and Florian Vogel are certainly the highest ranked. Moritz Milatz (GER), Jose Hermida (ESP), Thomas Litscher and the increasingly strong Ralph Näf are also in contention for a top place. The two Martins, Fanger and Gujan as well as the fast U23 riders Reto Indergand and Matthias Stirnemann should not be forgotten.

In the women's race, there will be a highly interesting duel. Last Saturday in Andorra, 41-year-old Sabine Spitz (GER) surprisingly took the second World Cup victory of her career. Opposite her is record World Cup winner Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesjaa (NOR), who finished fourth in the same race, just nine seconds behind.
The hopes of the Swiss are pinned on Jolanda Neff and Esther Süss. Neff finished seventh in the World Cup last weekend and was among the front runners until the last lap. She should therefore be capable of finishing right at the front. Süss, who is also in good shape, comes straight from the altitude training camp in the Engadine. The extended group of favorites includes Irina Kalentieva (RUS) and Adelheid Morath (GER) as well as the two Swiss riders Kathrin Stirnemann and the U23 rider Andrea Waldis.

The absence of Schurter and Absalon is also likely to result in a change in the overall classification. In the women's race, Esther Süss should be able to defend her top position.