Downhill and 4-Cross World Cup this weekend

This coming weekend sees the second last round of the MTB World Cup in the disciplines of Downhill and 4-Cross. It takes place in Pila, Valle d'Aosta (Italy), and more than 280 riders were training on the course on Friday. Both Downhill and 4-Cross tracks are difficult, but spectacular, with viewing areas along the 'Pista del Bosco' and 'Baby Gorraz'.

The 4-Cross track is 380 metres long and is explosive from the start, while the downhill is 2,600 metres long and is very technical and steep. The Downhill World Cup has already been won by South African Greg Minnaar, who wants to put the seal on his victory in Pila. The fight is still open for the second and third positions between Nathan Rennie (Aus), Cedric Gracia (France) and Fabien Barel (France), the World Champion. But there are also some outsiders like Britain's Steve Peat.

Among the women, the ever popular Sabrina Jonnier (France) leads Brit Tracey Moseley by a few points, but they are chased by Swiss Marielle Saner and Kiwi Vanessa Quin.

The American Brian Lopes leads the 4-Cross but the Czech Michal Prokop and the Frenchman Cedric Gracia are still threatening for the final win. Among the women there will be a head-to-head fight between the Dutch Anneke Beerten and the American Jill Kintner.

After training on Saturday morning, the 4-Cross competition will start at 7:00 p.m. The downhill finals will start at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

More information: www.pilamtbworldcup.com