Nino Schurter won six World Cup races and the overall standings plus the World Championships and the Cape Epic in 2017 - the perfect season. He does not expect to repeat this, as he reveals in a statement. However, as he spends a lot of time training in Stellenbosch during the winter months, his hopes of a successful start to the season are high. "I'm looking forward to riding a World Cup on my "home track" in Stellenbosch. Things are looking good because I'm well prepared and optimistic for the upcoming race. But I'm also aware of all the guys who will be chasing me. There are a lot of strong riders trying to beat me. I realize that my winning streak from last year won't last forever. But at least I hope it continues at the first World Cup here in Stellenbosch."

There is a long list of people who could throw a spanner in the works for the world champion. For example, there is Mathieu Van der Poel, who is carrying his impressive form from the cyclo-cross season with him. Or the young New Zealanders Sam Gaze and Anton Cooper, the French around Victor Koretzky, Maxime Marotte and Jordan Sarrou. Julien Absalon is probably not in the best shape yet, but he should never be ignored. Jaroslav Kulhavy is also always a hot candidate and his team colleague Howard Grotts caused a stir in Cyprus.

And the Swiss? With his overall victory at the Afxentia stage race in Cyprus, Lars Forster signaled that his form is right for the World Cup. Mathias Flückiger, who rode to fifth place in the internationally strong race in Banyoles, is always a hot candidate for the podium in the World Cup. Rohrbach, Litscher and Lukas Flückiger are all wonder riders who have the potential to finish in the top 10, and Matthias Stirnemann is also likely to be there again. European champion Florian Vogel is in excellent form, but is currently an open book as he has hardly delivered any references so far.

Start without World Cup winner

Yana Belomoina won the 2017 World Cup overall standings early, but the Ukrainian will not be competing in the World Cup opener in Stellenbosch. A leg injury forced her to start her preparations for the season later. As a result, Belomoina does not currently feel in shape to compete in a World Cup race. The situation is different for Jolanda Neff. The world champion was forced to start the season later due to her injury, but rode to her first win of the season last weekend, which is why she has now traveled to South Africa and will certainly be fighting for a podium place there.

But who will be riding with her for the top places? Ten riders have the potential to be among the front runners. But to narrow down the circle of favorites, Annika Langvad, Maja Wloszczowska, Pauline Ferrand Prevot, Linda Indergand, Annie Last and the young Kate Courtney deserve special attention. But surprises are by no means ruled out.

An "old acquaintance" back with us

Nathalie Schneitter is back in the World Cup - but not as a racer. What was still a partial trial balloon in 2017 will become the rule this year: Red Bull Media House will provide a German commentary throughout its livestream of the Mercedes-Benz Mountain Bike World Cup races this season. At the opening race, Christopher D. Ryan will be joined at the microphone by the Swiss commentator.

Ten months ago in Albstadt, the Red Bull live stream had its own German commentary for the first time. Christopher D. Ryan commented on the cross-country race with Mike Kluge. After that there were more test races, but this year the commentary will be in German for the first time. For the opening race in Stellenbosch, Nathalie Schneitter from the studio in Salzburg will take on the role of co-commentator. The likeable Swiss rider, who won a World Cup race in 2010 and was U23 World Championship runner-up in 2007, ended her racing career in the fall of 2016. Most recently, the economics graduate was under contract with Rose-Vaujany.

www.redbull.tv/live/mountain-bike-world-cup

Stellenbosch World Cup program