There are 28 New Zealand riders who have headed to Bellwald in the Valais region of eastern Switzerland for the penultimate round of the UCI MTB Enduro World Cup.

The mountainous region near the Italian border enters the World Cup circuit for the first time, providing a challenging and breathtaking trail network. It features two loops, each with five stages. In total the event will comprise over 27km of stages with a total racing descent of 3,900m, to provide a daunting test.

National champion Charles Murray (Specialised) goes into the penultimate race of the season in third place in the elite men, and is the only rider to have taken a win this season other than American Rich Rude Jnr.

The Wanaka rider is back in full fitness after a costly crash at Leogang, Austria and will be chasing a return to the podium.

There will again be considerable interest Christchurch 17-year-old Winni Goldsbury, who has set the under-23 female scene alight with two straight world cup wins after joining the series mid-season.

Goldsbury is already in second place overall behind leader Simona Kuchynkova (SLO).

The New Zealanders racing this weekend are:

Male, Elite: Matthew Berry, Eddie Masters, Charles Murray, Craig Murray, Jake Remon, Brady Stone, Dylan Waghorn, Matthew Walker. 

Women Elite: Louise Kelly, Rae Morrison, George Swift.

Men Under 21: Matthew Fairbrother, Asher Hart, Oliver Jenkins, Harry Kneebone, Joe Millington, Cooper Millwood, Aidan Robinson, Lachie Ross. 

Women Under 21: Winni Goldsbury

EDR Women: George Swift

Racing, Open Men: Seff Curle, Dylan Walton. Masters 35 Plus: Bradley Lauder. Under 21: Cam Ford, Tyrone  Laurent-Stokes, Tyler Muirhead.

Women Masters: Melissa Newell.