FUEL prices in Scotland are rocketing, but it is leg power only that will provide the drive for the 500 riders from 35 countries at the Mountain Bike World Cup in Fort William, which concludes today.

Today's forecast is for rain, but for the first 48 hours of action, the sun beat down on Lochaber when Jared Graves of Australia and Jana Horakova (Czech Republic) powered to gold medals on Friday in the 4-cross discipline where Dan Atherton also won bronze for Britain.

Yesterday, with the heat reaching 21oC, it was the turn of the women, as 49 cross-country riders showcased their breathtaking stamina as they battled over five laps and 25 miles of a dusty course incorporating 289 metres of ascent.

Marie-Helene Premont, the current World Cup leader and Olympic silver medallist, with a blistering 23-minute first lap was the first to make her intentions known. Margarita Fullana, Spain's winner in Andorra last week, tried to deny her on the final lap, but the Canadian dug deep to take gold in 2:00;42, with Fullana second and Sabine Spitz, the 2004 Olympic bronze medallist, in third. "The race today was very fast and I knew Fullana would be tough to beat, but I had a good feeling," said the elated Premont.

With Olympic selection places up for grabs, the 92 riders in the men's cross-country also delivered an enthralling race, though even organisers seemed surprised that World Cup leader Julien Absalon of France chose to miss Fort William to focus on the defence of his World Championship and Olympic titles.

Surging to the front, the Swiss rider Christoph Sauser, a winner here in 2004 and in Andorra last week, sought to take full advantage of Absalon's absence over six gruelling laps and 30 miles. Sauser led into the final lap, but in what was a Swiss podium sweep, it was his 27-year-old countryman Florian Vogel who, in a sprint finish, narrowly defied Nino Schurter for gold in a time of 2:06.27 and pushed Sauser into bronze.

Several British riders were also in impressive form. Oli Beckingsale, the 2006 Commonwealth Games silver medallist from Bristol, produced the ride of his life to finish ninth, with countryman Liam Killeen 26th. "It's a real achievement that I've made it into the top 10," said GB rider Beckingsale.

After finishing in 62nd place, 25-year-old Gareth Montgomerie from Castle Douglas also had every reason to be pleased with his performance, while Ross Creber from Edinburgh described the course as "probably one of the toughest I've ever ridden", as he finished in 73rd place.

If yesterday was feats of endurance, today will see 187 male and 30 female riders display sheer guts on a downhill course that falls 555 metres in under two miles. Fast and described by 2005 winner Steve Peat as "one of the hardest on the circuit", it is the discipline that may see British riders on the podium.

At 23, Gee Atherton, a winner in Andorra last week, could be one. After practice yesterday, the Shrewsbury-based rider said: "I feel confident, but there are six or seven guys who could win it. Sammy Hill, the reigning world champion is riding well, as is Peaty."

With organisers watering the course to add traction, Atherton is praying for rain. "It'll make it better for me," he explained, confiding he anticipates the winner to complete the track in under five minutes.

If Atherton, Hill and 2004 champion Greg Minnaar are contenders, so too is 14-time World Cup winner Peat. "I'd love to win here again. It was one of the best sporting moments of my life when I won in 2005," said the 33-year-old.

In the women's downhill, Rachel Atherton will hope to reproduce the form that saw her overhaul reigning world champion Sabrina Jonnier of France to win in Andorra last week. "Yeah, Tracy Moseley, three-time Fort William winner and Sabrina are my two main challengers," she said. "I really hope I will be fighting it out with them and not end up in the dust."

Promising Scottish downhill riders will also be in action. Seventeenth in Slovenia last month and selected for this month's World Championships in Italy, Ben Cathro from Oban will hope to impress.

However, 19-year-old Ruaridh Cunningham from Galashiels and a 2007 World Junior champion stressed the need for 100% focus on the treacherous course. "If you start thinking, it's all over. You need to blank everything else out," said Cunningham.

As he aims for a top 30 finish, 19-year-old Joe Barnes, the local hero, agrees with the young rider. "I know where I can push it and where I can't. It's important to stay relaxed and not worry too much," said Barnes.

Whoever wins today, the downhill riders seem certain to deliver a rocket-fuelled World Cup finale that will be well worth every penny.