The "Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup" in Albstadt promises to be a great weekend of sport. The first attraction starts on Friday in the early evening with the short track race. It is considered to be the big unknown, as the riders in particular are eager to see how the race will turn out. The best 40 men and women will be at the start. The race on the 1.2-kilometer circuit will last 25 minutes and is decisive for the starting position on Sunday. Nino Schurter also wants to show his sprinting prowess in order to be on the front row of the cross-country race.

South Africa World Cup winner Sam Gaze is also considered to have a good chance of winning the short track, as the New Zealander is also one of the best sprinters in the world. From a Swiss perspective, the young rockets Andri Frischknecht and Lars Forster are likely to have a say alongside Schurter and Thomas Litscher is also regarded as a very strong sprinter. After his hip operation, Litscher at least seems to have recovered well. Of course, Mathieu Van der Poel is also one of the favorites - despite his injury.

Among the women, Kathrin Stirnemann as the current and Linda Indergand as the former Eliminator World Champion are among the favorites in the short track. But Jolanda Neff has also proven her fast-starting qualities time and time again.

Who will prevent Schurter's hat-trick?

Schurter's long-time rival Julien Absalon announced his immediate retirement on Monday. However, the Frenchman would not have been one of the favorites anyway due to his health situation. However, there is also a question mark over Schurter's terror Mathieu Van der Poel. As the Dutchman wrote on his Facebook page on May 15, he broke his navicular bone on May 11, underwent surgery in between and still wants to start in Albstadt. His plan could still work out in the short race, but in cross country? Let's leave out the question of sense here.

As things stand, Sam Gaze could of course prevent Schurter's third victory in Albstadt. But Maxime Marotte is also in impressive form according to his team colleague Manuel Fumic, and with Mathias Flückiger the world champion has a tough opponent from his own country.

A good handful

In the women's race, there are a good handful of candidates who can ride for the coveted podium places. For example Annika Langvad: Anyone who starts in the jersey of the World Cup leader is automatically one of the favorites. With her victory in Stellenbosch, the Danish rider has the goal right on her back.

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot is the Albstadt winner of 2014. After eight weeks of riding road races, the Frenchwoman is now back on her mountain bike and definitely a candidate for the biggest trophy at the awards ceremony in Albstadt.

World champion Jolanda Neff is also likely to play an important role in the race, even though a serious training crash in April messed up her form.

Ukrainian rider Yana Belomoina won her first World Cup race last year in Albstadt. Two more victories followed and she won the overall standings early. In the fall, however, she had a training accident on the road, which led to a fractured femur and a long absence from training and racing. With her victory in Obertraun, on the last big race before Albstadt, she is finally back among the podium candidates.

In addition to this quartet, Maja Wloszczowska must also be included. The Polish athlete has been in the World Cup for at least twelve years. Her last win was six years ago, but she has been close ever since.

Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesjaa, the grande dame of cross-country, is contesting her last World Cup season. The 45-year-old Norwegian is one of the extended favorites, as is Anne Tauber from the Netherlands, who is almost half her age and surprised everyone with third place in Stellenbosch. The speed skating newcomer must be considered a serious challenger. She will also be celebrating her 23rd birthday on Saturday.On the German side, there is Sabine Spitz, who showed with her eighth place in Stellenbosch that she is still a force to be reckoned with. But Elisabeth Brandau and Alessandra Keller are also worth keeping an eye on. Both are in good form and should also have a say in Albstadt. With Catherine Pendrel and Emily Batty, two Canadians also have what it takes for top classifications, but also bring a variable into the race due to their comparatively uncertain level of form.

Program

www.world-cup-albstadt.de