June 10, 2007 (Champéry, Switzerland) – Round two of the Nissan UCI World Cup DH, the Champery downhill is quite simply the biggest course the World Cup circuit has seen in years. Over 1.5km long, it drops 581m over it’s length. Sections of the course exceed 75% grade and it is close to impossible to get down on foot. First Aid crews cannot get to injured riders by 4 wheeler, so the rescue Helos are being kept extremely busy this weekend in the Portes de Soleil region of Switzerland where the race is being held.

Besides being the steepest course in a dozen years, sections of it are fresh cut and loamy. With thunder storms in the forecast every day this week, the course has been getting chewed up and spit out. If it rains during qualifiers and finals, it could be a disaster of epic proportions and more than a few riders will be sliding down large portions of the course, and the small cliffs next to it. Riders such as Steve Peat (GBR) and Greg Minnaar (RSA) have been practicing on flat pedals due to the uncertainty of the course, and the steepness of some of the switchbacks. After three solid days of practice, the roots and rocks are starting to show through, making some of the tighter sections treacherous.

The biggest “X factor” this weekend, is the return of “the Alien”. After a few years off to race rally cars at the professional level, Nicolas Vouilloz (FRA) has decided to make a return to the world cup circuit and compete in select events. The quiet Frenchmen, who dominated the World Cup for so many years, has been riding strong all weekend and looking extremely fast. Peat is also looking for the win this weekend, and all accounts have him looking like a man possessed on the track.

Canadian World Cup regulars Andrew Mitchell and Tyler Morland both with Cove Bikes have not made the trip due to injuries and work obligations. Top Canadian rider Steve Smith accrued his 20 UCI points necessary to compete at the Bromont Canada cup this season, and as such, missed the deadline for Champery. Expect to see all qualified and eligible Canadians out in force at the next DH World Cup at Mont Ste-Anne, Quebec, June 21-24.

The two gravity competitors for Canada this weekend are women. Micayla Gatto (Rocky Mountain/Haywood) and Claire Buchar (Specialized) both have made the expensive trek over to Switzerland to race. On course, Sabrina Jonnier (Fra) Monster Iron Horse took a big spill in practice and is not looking like her confident self. Local Marielle Saner, who hails from the region and is riding for the Swiss Bikepark.ch team (where the race is being held) has to be among the favorites to step atop the podium this weekend.

It should be an interesting contest on Sunday when the world’s best finally take to the gate for runs that count on a course the likes of which some haven’t raced in years, and many haven’t seen in their entire career.