The sixth leg of the iXS European Downhill Cup takes place this weekend in Châtel/France. Following the World Cup finals and the World Championships, it will be the last race in the European Series, marking the end of the international 2011 Downhill season.

After pitching its tents at the prestigious bike parks of Monte Tamaro (SUI), Todtnau (GER), Leogang (AUT), Špičák (CZE) and Pila (ITA), the Series will celebrate its crowning finale in Châtel. The village is located in the Portes du Soleil region and, together with Leogang, is the oldest Cup venue. This year the course, challenging as ever, will host the fight for the last points for the fourth time. The starting list promises top level riding.

Joshua Button (AUS - SC-Intense) currently leads the overall rankings in the Elite Men category with 559 points, closely followed by Markus Pekoll (AUT - MS Evil Racing) with 525 points. In third place in the category is Brook MacDonald (NZL - MS Evil Racing) with 373 points. If four results are included only (the worst seeding run and final run will annul) then the standing looks different, with Pekoll (489) leading ahead of Button (463) and MacDonald (373). So all three still have a shot at the overall win, whereby in realistic terms a duel between the Austrian and the Australian is more likely. The following riders could also theoretically snatch third place from MacDonald: Nejk Rutar (SLO - Unior Tools), Dominik Gspan (SUI - EWZ Mountainbiketeam Loop), Adam Vagner (CZE - RockMachine) and Marcus Klausmann (GER - ATG Ghost)

In the Elite Women category it was already clear after the penultimate race of the Series in Pila that Miriam Ruchti (SUI - SC-Nukeproof) was the overall winner. She could be joined on the podium by Emilie Siegenthaler (SUI - Scott 11), Carina Cappellari (SUI - iXS Sports Division/Yeti) or Harriet Rücknagel (GER - OnTheEdge). These three will have to settle who gets the other two winners’ spots on the podium among themselves, so things look exciting.

The wellbeing of riders and bikes will be taken care of in the Expoarea. As in Špičák and Pila Series partner Marzocchi will again be providing technical support and it goes without saying that title sponsor iXS will also have a stand.

Finally, some information for all Free/Hobby bikers: As previously in Pila, anyone who is not a French citizen will need a medical certificate confirming that they are allowed to take part in mountain biking and/or Downhill racing. In addition to this, they will have to provide a copy of their personal accident insurance, also covering this discipline. Anyone without the relevant insurance can take out a policy at the race venue.