![\"NM_20130827_4486lrweb.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-21964000-1377758955.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nNino Schurter poses in front of a massive poster of him at Jowett’s Cycles, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Schurter will attempt to successfully defend his Elite men’s XCO World Championship title on Saturday.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Photo \u00a9 Nick Muzik <\/em><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking at a SCOTT Sports World Championships welcome dinner at Jowett\u2019s Cycles, Pietermaritzburg, Schurter confirmed that he is in peak form and that he is looking forward to Saturday afternoon\u2019s race on one of his favourite tracks.<\/p>\n \u201cI have had very good preparation for the World Championships. I am expecting a hard race but knowing that I am well prepared gives me a good level of confidence. I have had good results on this track at the three World Cups that I have raced here and it suits my style,\u201d said the 27-year-old Swiss rider, who is highly skilled on the technical sections and powerful on the steep ascents.<\/p>\n Schurter won the opening round of the 2012 UCI World Cup on the Pietermaritzburg course, beating the late Burry Stander, who was killed by a motorist while training in January this year. For Schurter, Stander\u2019s absence is significant.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were rivals since Under-23 level and we had many good battles, especially here in Pietermaritzburg. It is really very sad that Burry is not here to race the World Championships in his home country,\u201d said Schurter before assessing who his major rivals are likely to be on Saturday.<\/p>\n \u201c(Julien) Absalon is going well and is always motivated for a big race like the World Championships. (Jose) Hermida has won here at a World Cup in 2009 and likes this course. He is in good form. I also think (Marco) Fontana will be a rider to watch here. And of course (Jaroslav) Kulhavy can never be ruled out. And you can always expect at least one surprise rider on the day too,\u201d smiled Schurter.<\/p>\n From left: Nino Schurter and Florian Vogel pose with top South African XCO racers Philip Buys and Matthys Beukes at the SCOTT Sports World Championships welcome dinner at Jowett\u2019s Cycles, Pietermaritzburg.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Photo \u00a9 Nick Muzik <\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Kulhavy, the Czech who narrowly beat Schurter to the Olympic gold medal in London last year has been relatively unimpressive so far this year, but his ability to focus on one goal race and succeed there is not to be underestimated. Italy\u2019s Fontana (third at London) and Spain\u2019s Hermida (fourth at London and the 2010 World Champion) as well as France\u2019s four-time World Champion, Absalon, have all shown good form leading up to the World Championships.<\/p>\n Schurter\u2019s SCOTT Swisspower teammate, Florian Vogel is also a podium contender on Saturday. After a poor start to the year, which included a crash at the ABSA Cape Epic and illness ahead of the first two rounds of the UCI World Cup, the 31-year-old Swiss is confident of his form.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m feeling very good. I have good health and my fitness is the best it has been all year. I like the course here and am looking forward to a good result,\u201d said Vogel, who has twice secured bronze (2007 and 2009) and once claimed silver (2008) at the XCO World Championships.<\/p>\n Schurter\u2019s World Cup win in Pietermaritzburg last year saw him become the first rider to win a major international event on a 27.5-inch wheel bike, a result that inadvertently sparked a global shift towards the wheel size in a young sport where technology is constantly evolving.<\/p>\n \u201cI am very comfortable on the Scale 700. I had my best year on this bike last year. I appreciate SCOTT\u2019s willingness to listen to me and develop a bike that suits me. I find the 29-inch wheels a bit big for my height. With the 27.5-inch wheels I have the best compromise,\u201d explained Schurter, who has been with SCOTT for 10 years.<\/p>\n The Elite men\u2019s XCO race will take place at 15h00 on Saturday. It will be televised live on SuperSport and will be live streaming on www.redbull.tv<\/a>. For ticket information and other World Championships news, visit www.mtbworldchamps.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n