Rumbling through Black Forest--and we're not talking cake

The mountain-biking world will turn its focus upon an ancient corner of Germany in the days ahead as the greatest downhill and cross-country riders meet for the 1995 World Championships.

The vertical landscape around Kirchzarten--nestled in the infamous Black Forest--will provide the slope and gravity needed for sensational downhill runs and enough grade changes to define the very best in the overland venue.

On the downhill course, riders will eat through a 2,200-foot vertical drop in just under three miles. The track is carefully balanced to challenge nerve and control through heady drops and also through technical sections demanding complete control of the machine.

This year, the United States will be well-represented with a wild-eyed grab bag of talent: Brian Lopes, Mike King, and Myles Rockwell for the men, along with female bombers Kim Sonier, Elke Brusaert, Leigh Donovan, and Missy Giove, who appears ready to return from a nasty snapped collarbone.

Don't look for an American conquest, however, not with Regina Stiefl of Germany racing on home turf, or Giovanna Bonazzi pursuing another world championship.

In cross-country, seven laps will be made around the five-mile track, a path with nearly 950 feet of elevation gain, and loss, per lap and plenty of technical challenges for the riders.

Expect the usual European cycling mayhem at this event, with tens of thousands of screaming, hard-core fans packed along the course. Kirchzarten is a bike ride away from France and Switzerland, home to a pair of the very best racers in cross-country: European champion Jean-Christophe Savignoni and Thomas Frischknect, respectively.

You'll also see plenty of Norwegian and Dane flags along the course. Rune Hoydahl of Norway is one of the safest bets this year for world champion, and is likely to give a serious challenge to Henrik Djernis, three-time world champion and one of today's cultural icons in Denmark.

From the New World comes Tinker Juarez, who has been tinkering with his technique and finding renewed success on the circuit.

A wild card will be the performance of Germany's Mike Kluge, whose career seems to be bouncing off course. Those close to the action are wondering if he has a viable shot at the "local boy grabs glory at home" story line.

But for some, the greatest story will come as Bart Brentjens rips through the pack, repeating the awesome finish that landed him the World Cup crown last year.

On the other side of the gender zone, Canadian Alison Sydor is reportedly investing heavily in this year's worlds, spending all she has in physical and spiritual juice in a quest to repeat as defending world champion.

Race watchers are not sure what will happen with superstar Juli Furtado, but most are expecting another gritty challenge from the American.

One other rider to watch will be British rider and new European champion Caroline Alexander, whose recent successes have all watchers convinced that she's in the hunt.