This weekend marks the start of the 2013 UCI World Cup DH season with the opening event coming from our very own Fort William in Scotland. We’d be mad to miss such a prestigious race, especially with the results being so uncertain this season – there are more riders capable of winning this race than at any previous incarnations, in our opinions anyway.

Britain’s Danny Hart, Marc Beaumont, Josh Bryceland and Gee Atherton are all in with a good shout, you’d be foolish to count current World Champion Greg Minnaar of South Africa or the legendary Australian Sam Hill out of the running, even if they have shown to be slightly off-form recently, and of course who’d doubt the incredible ability of 2012 World Cup Champion and Specialized’s newest signing Aaron Gwin? Canadian Steve Smith of Devinci won the final round of the 2012 World Cup in Norway so we have a slight feeling that he may pose a threat too… Anyone else? Peaty? Oh yes – Steve Peat, the big man from Sheffield, is never one to be counted out, especially after what he called a ‘bad season’ (not by most people’s standards mind) in 2012. Everyone’s favourite personality will be gunning and fast as ever, so you better watch out.

In the women’s race we’ll be cheering Britain’s Rachel Atherton and Manon Carpenter, both in with a chance of winning. But not without a strong fight from the likes of Aussie Tracy Hannah, Frenchies Emmeline Ragot, Florian Pugin and Myriam Nicole or American Jill Kintner (our hot tip).

Live coverage

Live coverage complete with voicebox straining commentary courtesy of Rob Warner will air on Red Bull’s Bike channel on Sunday 9th June starting at 14.45. If you can’t make it to share our excitement trackside, you’ll probably be more than happy to watch the great coverage online and have a wee shout at the screen from the comfort of your home. There won’t be any midges there at least.

We’ll also be providing updates on the weekend with photos and words to keep you in the loop of interesting happenings. Stay tuned, it’s going to be a cracking weekend and the weather even looks set for sun. Who’d a thought it?