It may be nine weeks away, but ticket sales have opened this week for the Fort William round of the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, which sees the XC racers line up for the first round at Houffalize, Belgium on 19/20 April. The first DH/4X action takes place at Maribor on 10/11 May.

But back to Fort William, which on the 7/8 June will host DH, XC and 4X with over 500 world-class riders from 35 countries.

One of Scotlands top mountain biking stars, Ruaridh Cunningham (18) from the Borders, impressed last year when he won Britains first ever mens gold Downhill medal, as a junior. His win was a great boost for the British team and at only 18, he is tipped for even greater things.

“Winning last years World Championship means the pressure is really on for me but I am determined to do well again this year. The atmosphere at Fort William is always electric and the tracks really are awesome,” Cunningham says.