April 16, 2008 – Here is some news in anticipation of the Nissan UCI MTB XC World Cup Season kick-off in Houffalize, Belgium this weekend, including a World Cup XC #1 Preview and information on how to view World Cup action and inside scoops on YouTube.

MTB World Cup XC Kicks off at Houffalize

A record field of more than 400 competitors will line up at the start of the first leg of the 2008 Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Olympic Cross Country competition this weekend.

Some 273 men and 130 women are expected on the start line in Houffalize, Belgium, on Sunday April 20. This represents a World Cup record both in numbers and in quality: the 60 top men and the 40 top women from last season (according to the 2007 World Cup classification) are registered to race. Absalon, Hermida, Sauser, Kalentieva, Prémont, Spitz, all the big names will be present.

The high quality turn-out is the result of an exceptional year, with Beijing and its Olympic Games providing the focal point. While some athletes are assured of their ticket to China, others have yet to qualify. The competition will therefore be fierce.

While the quality and quantity of the field is assured, the weather is the unknown factor. Rain and cold is predicted by the specialists, while the more pessimist are talking about snow.

However, bad weather could not dampen the enthusiasm that reigns in Houffalize in the run-up to the competition. While the more impatient competitors whet their appetites on the slopes of Arsenal or Ol Fosse d’Outh, others soak up the atmosphere in the village which is filling up each day with journalist, mechanics, spectators and competitors.

And for those who cannot be at Houffalize: turn on your computers and connect to www.universalbikeracing.com or www.massive-mag.tv from 10h30.

Nissan UCI MTB World Cup on YouTube

By tuning into YouTube, you can now discover the highlights as well as a glimpse backstage of the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano.

The channel, called “ucimtb”, provides a report in images of each day of competition as well as interviews, short personality profiles and interesting details and anecdotes that set the World Cup apart.

Don’t hesitate to visit: www.youtube.com