02/05/08. Source UCI. After Belgium and Germany, the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano continues this week-end in the Spanish capital.

Julien Absalon (Orbea ) from France will be wanting to hang on to his leader’s jersey while Irina Kalentieva is under the weather and not sure to take the start.

The temperature will rise this week-end on the Iberian Peninsula! After a one year break, the international series is back in the heart of Madrid. The race promises to be wild and hot, with thousands of Spanish spectators along the course.

For Julien Absalon, who won the first two stages in Houffalize and Offenburg, the spectacular course, which looks like the Olympic course, is simply "the first goal of the year". That’s all very well, but some riders want to stop the French dream. Among them is Christoph Sauser (Specialized Factory Racing) who is currently second overall. The Swiss rider has never won in Madrid and would like to wipe out memories of two World Cups when he raced for victory but couldn't do anything against the French domination.

And what if Nino Schurter (Swisspower MTB Team) signs his first World Cup victory on the 7 kms course in the "Casa De Campo" park? The Under-23 Vice-World Champion, second in Houffalize and fourth last Sunday in Offenburg is well on his way to taking part in his first Olympics. He could even celebrate his selection as soon as Sunday. Another rider to watch out for Jose Antonio Hermida (Multivan Merida Biking Team), who had to pull out in Offenburg because of a broken chain.

It is going to be an intense competition amongst the women as well. After two stages, the World Champion Irina Kalentieva took back the leader's jersey… but might not be on the start line. Ren Chengyuan, still leading the Under 23s, will be there and could get the Elite jersey back.

In Germany, Marie Helène Premont, third place in the overall classification, confessed "to be very surprised by my fitness as it snowed a lot this winter at home in Canada and I did not get the chance to ride much." Finally, Gunn Rita Dahhle (Multivan Merida Biking Team), three times winner in Madrid (2004 to 2006) wants to prove that giving up in Offenburg was just an accident.

Both races are streamed live on Sunday from 10:00am: http://www.uci.ch/templates/UCI/UCI2/layout.asp?MenuId=MTU0MzE

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