April 1, 2007 (Schaan, Lichtenstein) — The highly competitive Swisspower Cup Series kicks off today with a first — the event takes place in the Principality of Lichtenstein, an independent country that borders on Switzerland. Racers aren’t fazed by the fact that the Swiss National Series’ first race of the season takes place outside of Switzerland, as the Swisspower Cup has garnered an international following that attracts high-level competitors from across Europe and the rest of the world. This weekend’s event is Class 1, which means lots of UCI points are up for grabs.

World and Olympic Champion, Julien Absalon (FRA, Orbea) was pre-riding the 3.9-kilometre loop yesterday morning, in preparation for the 9-lap Elite Men’s race, which starts at 2:00 p.m. local time / 8:00 a.m. EST. Fredrick Kessiakoff (SWE, Cannondale-Vredestein), Florian Vogel (SUI, Swisspower), Thomas Frischknecht (SUI, Swisspower), Oliver Beckingsale (GBR, Giant), Cedric Ravanel (FRA, Lapierre International) and Lado Fumic (GER, fumic.brothers.international) are some of the heavy hitters on the 119-man start list. The UCI points hunt is going strong, with the Ugandan and Turkish National Teams present as well.

The Elite Women’s category has a record number of entrants with 52 names on the start list, including former World Champion Sabine Spitz (GER, Ghost International) and multiple World Cup medalist, Irina Kalentieva (RUS, Topeak-Ergon). Last year’s Swisspower Cup Overall winner and National Champion Petra Henzi (SUI, Fischer-BMC) will attempt to defend her title as well. Canadian Sandra Walter (CAN, X.O-Felt Women’s Team), who placed seventh overall in the 2006 series, is racing for the Swiss team X.O-Felt for her second season and will contest tomorrow. The seven-lap race starts at 11:30 a.m. local time / 5:30 a.m. EST.

Weather and course conditions are ideal, as most of Europe experienced a strangely warm and snow-less winter. The signs of Friday night’s rain shower have all but disappeared, leaving the gravel and dirt climbs compact and tacky and the twisty, fast, grassy downhills ideal for railing. Lap times will be short, with the fastest women likely logging sub-15-minute times and the men hovering around 10 minutes per lap. The course gains 143 vertical metres over 3.9 kilometres, all of which occur at the beginning of the loop.