The Mountain Bike World Cup moves back to Europe for round two, two weeks after opening in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, where Jose Hermida (Multivan Merida) and Elisabeth Osl (Central Ghost) donned the leader's jerseys in the cross-country. Set amidst vineyards, the German town of Offenburg in the Black Forest plays host to a cross-country World Cup for the third year.
Jose Hermida (#1) and his teammates survey the course. Rob Jones photo
The 5.8 kilometre course is very similar to last year. After a start loop of 1.2 kilometres, the riders head out on a fast paved climb before entering the first section of dirt single track. The dry conditions mean that riders won't be slowing much even when they hit the dirt.
The first of four major drop-offs is the next obstacle the riders will meet. The Dual Speed drop offers the riders a choice of two stepped descents - do you go fast and dangerous, or slightly safer, but slower? Then it is a long climb up to the highest point of the course before tackling the switchbacked North Shore descent, followed by the Worldclass Drop and Wolfs Drop.
Julian Absalon Rob Jones photo
The riders are only halfway through a lap at this point, and the circuit switches from technical to high speed dirt track for a second loop before heading back to the start-finish area and one final climb.
Lene Byberg hopes to improve on third in Pietermaritzburg. Rob Jones photo
Distances have not yet been confirmed, but it is likely that the women will do six laps (plus a start loop), and the men one more lap. The weather is pretty much perfect - sunny and mid-20s (centigrade). This means that, unlike previous years, even the deepest mud sections have dried up, and the steep, rooty descents are no longer as slippery and treacherous.
The fields will be even stronger than Pietermaritzburg, with both Ralph Näf (Multivan Merida) and Marco Fontana (Cannondale Factory Racing) back in the men's race after illness kept them away from South Africa. Näf is certainly riding well after winning a German national series race last weekend. Of course, the favourites will still include World Cup leader Jose Hermida (Multivan Merida), Olympic champion Julien Absalon (Orbea) and the Team Specialized duo of world champion Christoph Sauser and U23 World Cup leader Burry Stander.
However, Hermida is sick with a cold, and predicts that his team mate Näf will be the one to watch, although Näf has to start well back on the seventh row. The field is a huge 222 riders.
Todd Wells is debuting the Specialized 29er. Rob Jones photo
American Todd Wells (Specialized) will ride the new Specialized 29er, the first time the newly-introduced bike will be used in World Cup competition. Wells was the top North American in South Africa, in 23rd place, but says he is looking for a top-10 result in Offenburg. Wells joins Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru-Gary Fisher) in riding a 29er.
The women's field has had a huge increase in depth. Last year's number one and two ranked World Cup riders - Canada's Marie-Helene Premont (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) and Catharine Pendrel (Luna Pro Team) - both skipped Pietermaritzburg, but they will be on the start line in Offenburg, as will American star Georgia Gould (Luna Pro Team) and China's Ren Chengyuan. Both Gould and Pendrel are coming off strong races at Sea Otter last weekend, while for Premont it will be her first race of the year.
Marie-Helene Premont. Rob Jones photo
However, they will have a hard battle against World Cup leader Elisabeth Osl (Central Ghost Pro Team), her team mate Sabine Spitz (the Olympic champion), world champion Marga Fullana (Massi), number two ranked Irina Kalentieva (Topeak Ergon) and number three Lene Byberg (Team Specialized). Lene Byberg had a very close call earlier in the week, when she was hit by a car that abruptly turned right into her. Byberg is fine other than some bruising on her ribs and leg, but her bike frame was cracked when the car hit it. The driver has been charged.
Women's World Cup leader Elisabeth Osl. Rob Jones photo