Rachel Atherton

Rachel Atherton is the current World Champion and World Cup Champion, and totally dominated the 2013 race season. She was seemingly unbeatable, but her 2014 season got off to a bad start with illness badly affecting her in South Africa for the first round. She recovered by round 2 to take the win at Cairns. The home crowd at Fort William were rooting for her last year; can she win again at Fort William?

Nationality: Great Britain
World Cup Ranking: 1
Best results so far in 2014: 1st at World Cup Cairns, 2nd at World Cup Pietermaritzburg, 1st at BDS at Antur Stiniog in March
Best result at Fort William: 1st place in 2013
Team: GT Factory Racing
Find out more: Atherton Racing

Check out our 60 Seconds With Rachel Atherton Interview

Manon Carpenter

The former Junior World Champion exploded into the Elite category in 2013, and was a familiar sight on the podium throughout the year. Hot on the heels of Rachel Atherton, she placed 3rd overall at the end of last year. She started the 2014 season with a long anticipated World Cup win at Pietermaritzburg, and has stated that winning at Fort William is one of her aims for the year. Expect some close racing!

Nationality: Great Britain
World Cup Ranking: 3
Best results in 2014: 1st at Pietermaritzburg, 2nd at Cairns, 2nd at BDS Antur Stiniog
Best result at Fort William: 2nd in 2013
Team: Madison Saracen Factory Team
Find out more: @ManonCarpenter

Read our Interview with Manon Carpenter