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09/05/08 Eight months after the 2007 final, the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano returns to Maribor (Slovenia) this weekend for the first individual downhill and 4X round. Hill, Jonnier, Beerten and Lopes are bringing their titles into play.

Last year, it was a big comeback for Maribor  on the World Cup circuit after an absence of five years. Nobody was disappointed. A high-flying downhill won by the big boss of the season, the Australian Sam Hill (Monster Energy Iron Horse), but also the amazing comeback of the English Rachel Atherton (Animal Commençal), not to mention the revelation of Four cross with the victory of the French Romain Saladini (Sunn) and the delight of the Dutch Anneke Beerten (Ms-Intense Factory-Team). These are the images that spring to mind when we recall the end of last season.

Plunging into the new season, there is quite a lot at stake. Will Sam Hill extend his reign (three victories in five races in 2007) and win a second World Cup in a row? Is the 33-year-old Englishman Steve Peat still able to win the overall ranking to take a fourth victory? Or will his new teammate, Greg Minnaar from the Santa Cruz Syndicate Team, sign a memorable come back nearly eight months after his shoulder blade fracture.

The war is probably going to be tough for the women as well. The pressure is on between Sabrina Jonnier (Maxxis), who won in 2007 (World Cup and World Championships) and her challengers. Rachel Atherton wants to prove that even if she is only 21, she already has the skills to be the boss. And maybe Floriane Pugin (Playbiker Iron Horse), winner last week of the test event in Val di Sole, will get involved in the battle for victory.

4X: A seventh for Lopes?

The superb and technical 4X track usually offers itself only to the top pilots. Transferred to a new team this winter, Brian Lopes has announced that goals are a little different this season and he won't necessarily go for the World Cup overall ranking. But the American is a born competitor and it would be surprising if he did not try to win the overall for the seventh time of his career. However, Romain Saladini (Sunn) and Gee Atherton (Animal Commençal) may just stand in the World Champion’s way.

In the women’s competition, Anneke Beerten has no intention of taking a walk-on part. The Dutch will be out to prove that her last season’s victory was not an accident. Unfortunately her rival Jill Kintner won’t be at the start. Finally, Sabrina Jonnier announced her return to the Four-cross this season and will be a strong contender.

For a preview of what is in store: http://www.youtube.com/user/ucimtb

Races will also be streamed live on the Internet:

http://www.uci.ch/templates/UCI/UCI2/layout.asp?MenuId=MTU0MzE  Saturday from 4:20pm and Sunday from 2:20 pm

Source: UCI