Gravity riders are set for one of the toughest tests of skill and daring at the UCI MTB World Championships when the downhill racing begins tomorrow in Switzerland.

The riders, including 16 Kiwis, face the renowned downhill track in Champery, near Valais, on the border with France.

“The infamous downhill track for the world championships is known for its extremely demanding technical features, made more challenging with new lines and the prospect of some rain,” Cycling New Zealand said.

The 1.72km track starts at 1650m and twists its way tightly down a 560m descent through the forest.

New Zealand’s junior women have celebrated world championship success in the past two years, led by two rainbow jersey performances from Erice van Leuven, who is sidelined with injury this year.

“This year, Kiwi success may come from the junior men, with the Yeti-Fox Factory rider Tyler Waite (Clive) coming off a podium performance at the UCI World Cup last weekend in nearby Les Gets,” Cycling NZ said.

“He heads a strong group including Kaikōura’s Oli Clark (MS Racing) and Palmerston North’s Jonty Williamson (Yeti-Fox).”

The elite women are led by in-form Jess Blewitt (Cube Factory), with the Queenstown rider in the top 10 on the world standings.

She’s joined by former junior world champion Jenna Hastings, the Pivot Factory rider from Rotorua, who earned her first elite top 10 finish at the weekend.

Lachlan Stevens-McNab, another Rotorua gravity star, made the final in the elite men’s category at Les Gets and sits 13th on the overall standings.

Kiwis forced to withdraw after recent injuries include two-time junior world medallist Sacha Earnest (Auckland), in-form Rotorua junior Kate Hastings, and Queenstown’s Malik Boatright.

Juniors Indy Deavoll, from Queenstown, and Bellah Birchall, from Rotorua, will make a final decision on racing after practice today, after picking up injuries last weekend.

Riders have the same qualification system as for the World Cup.

The leading 20 in the first qualifying run advance in elite men, with a further 10 from the second run. In elite women, 10 qualify from the first session and five from the second. In junior downhill, the leading 25 men and 10 women advance directly to the finals.

There is further practice today, qualifying from 9pm Friday (NZT) and racing starting on Saturday evening (NZT) through to Sunday.

Kiwi rider Tuhoto-Ariki Pene in action during last year’s downhill final at the UCI MTB World Championships. Photo / SWPix

New Zealanders competing are:

Elite men: Sam Gale (Nelson), James Macdermid (Hamilton, Alliance), Wyn Masters (New Plymouth, Focus Bikes), Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (Rotorua, MS Racing), Lachlan Stevens-McNab (Rotorua, Trek Factory), Luke Wayman (Christchurch, Continental Atherton). Elite women: Jess Blewitt (Queenstown, Cube Factory), Jenna Hastings (Rotorua, Pivot Factory).

Junior women: Bellah Birchall (Rotorua, High Country), Indy Deavoll (Queenstown), Eliana Hulsebosch (Tauranga, Santa Cruz Synd).

Junior men: Seppy Binsbergen (Okato), Oli Clark (Kaikoura, MS Racing), Sterling Stevens-McNab (Rotorua), Tyler Waite (Clive, Yeti-Fox Factory), Jonty Williamson (Palmerston North, Yeti-Fox Factory).

- Cycling New Zealand