With a maximum of 250 points available (50 to win qualifying, 200 for the main event for Elite riders) it boils down to just two riders in the men’s,

Gwin has a sizeable 178 point cushion, but this is DH racing, and anything could happen.

Hart is sure to go all out, and it is going to be interesting to see how the points stand after qualifying on the Friday and how that will affect the final race runs.

It is also going to be interesting to see how the rest of the overall podium pans out. The top four are pretty safe (like Troy Brosnan, above), but the battle for the fifth spot could (mathematically) be anyone’s back to 20th place!

In fact it is even possible that the AWESOME Adam Brayton (below) could end up on the overall podium… yeah, honest.  OK, so this is what you need to do Brayton… win qualifying and the main event and make sure that everyone ahead of you in the standings up to 4th place doesn’t score any points. Simple!

So it is Thursday today and riders are out on course for practice. Qualifying is tomorrow and race day is Saturday. Hold on to your pants.