Home rider Nino Schurter is targeting a seventh title at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships at Lenzerheide in Switzerland ©UCI

As the 29th edition of the International Cycling Union (UCI) Mountain Bike World Championships get underway in Switzerland tomorrow, the big question is whether home rider and defending champion Nino Schurter can extend his record-breaking achievement to seven elite world titles in the cross-country Olympic category.

Schurter, also the reigning Olympic and World Cup champion, has not been as dominant this season as in previous ones, with compatriot Mathias Flueckiger and Italian rider Gerhard Kerschbaumer beating him at World Cups.

Other contenders to watch for in Lenzerheide will be Mathieu van der Poel of The Netherlands and Maxime Marotte of France.

The elite women's category has a sizable list of contenders, led by the defending champion and recently crowned UCI World Cup winner and European champion Jolanda Neff who, like Schurter, will be looking for victory on home soil.

Other strong podium contenders include Annika Langvad of Denmark, Emily Batty of Canada and France's Pauline Ferrand-Prévot.

Also in the mix will be Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa of Norway, who finished second in Lenzerheide last year.

Switzerland's Jolanda Neff will seek to defend her cross-country Olympic category mountain bike world title on home ground this week ©UCI
Switzerland's Jolanda Neff will seek to defend her cross-country Olympic category mountain bike world title on home ground this week ©UCI

This will be the fourth time Switzerland has hosted the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, more than any other country.

Lenzerheide is a mountain resort, approximately two hours south-east of Zurich which has hosted UCI World Cup events in the last three years.

Mountain biking's most prestigious event brings together athletes from around the globe, with 716 riders representing 55 nations in cross-country and downhill.

The final day of the Championships, on Sunday (September 9), is devoted to the downhill.

The women's field has been dominated by two British riders this season - Rachel Atherton and Tahnée Seagrave.

Atherton will be going for her fifth world title, while Seagrave is looking for her first.

Other strong podium contenders are Myriam Nicole of France and Tracey Hannah of Australia.

British riders Rachel Atherton and Tahnée Seagrave are favourites in the women's elite downhill event that will take place on the last day of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships starting at Lenzerheide, pictured, in Switzerland ©UCI
British riders Rachel Atherton and Tahnée Seagrave are favourites in the women's elite downhill event that will take place on the last day of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships starting at Lenzerheide, pictured, in Switzerland ©UCI

The men's competition has been dominated by French riders this season, with Amaury Pierron winning the World Cup title and three events, and Loris Vergier and defending UCI world champion Loïc Bruni also claiming first places.

Other strong podium contenders are Troy Brosnan of Australia and Britain's Danny Hart.

Returning from injury, but always dangerous, are Aaron Gwin of the United States and and three-times UCI world champion Greg Minnaar of South Africa.

The Worlds open with the team relay tomorrow, when teams of five riders compete in a five lap race on the cross-country circuit.

Each rider hands off to the next one on the team, and the lead can change every lap.

Traditional powerhouse nations to watch for are defending champions Switzerland, France - winner in the previous three years - and Italy.

On Thursday (September 6), the first of three consecutive days of cross-country racing begins, starting with the junior women and men.

The under-23 women and men race on Friday (September 7) and the cross-country portion concludes on Saturday (September 8) with elite categories for women and men.