uci.ch

CROSS-COUNTRY WORLD CUP

This weekend's absence of current World Cup leader and fresh Olympic Champ Julien Absalon (Orbea) could help Christoph Sauser (Specialized) make up lost ground. But the Swiss rider, fourth in Beijing, is no longer in charge of his destiny. He must win the last two stages and hope that Absalon places further back than 53rd in the Austrian final in Schladming. That is very unlikely...

It’s the same situation for Catherine Pendrel (Luna CHIX), winner in Bromont. The Canadian is 473 points behind her compatriot Marie-Helene Premont (Rocky Mountain), who has decided not to make the trip to Australia.

DOWNHILL WORLD CUP

In downhill, What In the Sam Hill (Monster Energy-Iron Horse) is on home ground and cannot be permitted to make a mistake. He has a small 46 point lead over South African Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate). It will be intense fight between these two men, with World Champ Gee Atherton (Animal Commençal) being a very likely spoiler.

Gee's little sister Rachel, also the current World Champion, is very close to her first overall World Cup victory. Sabrina Jonnier (Maxxis), however, is only 83 points behind and has not had her last word. Tracy Moseley (Kona), Floriane Pugin (Playbiker-Ironhorse) and Emmeline Ragot (Suspension Center) will fight for the third step on the podium.

4-CROSS WORLD CUP

In 4-cross, Anneke Beerten (MS Intense) is almost assured of a second World Cup win in a row. But the men’s race is wide open! Points leader Rafael Alvarez, who swept Maribor, Mont-Sainte-Anne and Bromont, has just broken his wrist and will note compete in the last two races. This leaves the way clear for German Guido Tschugg and legendary French rider Cedric Gracia (Commencal-Furious-Oakley).

The contenders in the overall ranking have no choice--They must win this Labor Day Weekend August 30-September 1 in Canberra. Sauser, Minnaar and Jonnier will have to pull out all the stops in Australia if they want that World Cup Glory. The heat is on!

In two weeks Schladming, Austria will hold the World Cup finale on September 13 & 14. Then in Ornans, France on October 4 & 5 we have the last World Cup Marathon. The current leaders heading in are France's Thomas Dietsch and Finland's Pia Sundstedt.