XCO-superstars Nino Schurter and Jolanda Neff aside, the list of potential medalists seems to be neverending: Mathias Flückiger, Florian Vogel, Lars Forster, Thomas Litscher amongst the men and Linda Indergand, Alessandra Keller (U23) and Sina Frei (U23) amongst the women are only a few names that belong to those capable of seizing a podium spot on a good day.

French phenom Myriam Nicole (FRA) will have her eyes set firmly on the rainbow jersey for the remainder of the season. Leading the World Cup, her hopes to defend that title went up in smoke after a crash and the resulting back injury kept her from collecting essential points in both Val Di Sole and Vallnord. Will Nicole be able to put the disappointment behind her after recovering and challenge her competition, Rachel Atherton (GBR), Tahnee Seagrave (GBR) and Tracey Hannah (AUS) at the World Championships? Can she become the first French World Champion since Morgane Charre in 2012? After having come second in the past two years and heading home with a silver medal, Nicole will be eager to make it three times lucky and finally stand on the top step come September 9.