Due to a rain delay the women's cross country mountain bike race will now be staged tomorrow and coincide with the men's. This is unfortunate but will at least give the spectators more value for their buck.

Laoshan is a very technically tough course and will call for superior skill. There are narrow tracks, tricky descents and sharp rocks causing punctures.

Pits have been installed in the course so riders can get repairs if they're lucky enough to be nearby.

The winners will have to be on their toes and in the men's, it's hard to go past the Frenchman Julien Absalon. He has dominated in recent years and should be on the podium, perhaps with Sauser of Switzerland and Hermida Ramos of Spain.

The women's will be quite evenly spread, but I like Norway's Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa. She is returning from illness but should be in winning form. Others to watch out for are Sabine Spitz from Germany and Spaniard Margarita Fullana.

Australians Daniel McConnell and Dellys Starr will be happy with middle of the field finishes. Daniel is ranked 51 in the world and Dellys is on debut, so she will mostly take away some experience from this event.