Sunday’s XTERRA Czech Championship race pits the current World Champ (Conrad Stoltz), against a former World Champ (Nico Lebrun), a three-time runner-up at the World Champs (Olivier Marceau), and a destined to-be World Champ (Dan Hugo).

For more on what to expect this weekend, here’s a word from the managing director of the XTERRA Global Tour – Dave Nicholas:

The return of the Czech Championship and its wonderful course in the castle village of Hluboka nad Vltavou has been greeted with a strong entry list. The men's field is particularly interesting. Olivier Marceau, winner of the XTERRA Euro Champ race last month in Italy is back to face off against Conrad Stoltz in a rematch of the incredibly tight 2008 World Champs in Maui where Stoltz pulled away from Marceau on the run to win his 3rd XTERRA World Title. The two have had a storied rivalry that dates back a dozen years and includes the 2000 Olympic games where the duo came off the bike together with the lead. Nico Lebrun, who is looking very strong and beat Stoltz in Wales last week, is entered along with French ITU pro and reigning XTERRA Germany champ Franky Batelier. Gianpetro DeFaveri from Italy, Martin Zois, Uli Katzer , and Michael Szymoniuk from Austria and a host of pros from Germany led by Ronnie Dietz (second in 2008 points), Felix Schuman, Jorg Scheiderbauer, Sascha Wingenfeld, Lars Erik Fricke and newcomer Thilo Zoberbier. Throw in Czech favorites Jan Kubicek and Karel Zadak with Dan Hugo and Lieuwe Boonstra from South Africa and you have one heck of a field.

The women's side will have Anna Baylis-Scheiderbauer looking to improve on her 2nd in Wales, but she will have to go past Carina Wasle of Austria and Sibylle Matter of Switzerland to get to the top step.

The weather has been hot (in the 80's) with some sudden showers that are keeping the trails a bit muddy. Prague experienced a huge thunderstorm yesterday that disrupted traffic all over the Capitol but Hluboka was spared. The race happens on Sunday this year as there is the Czech National Hunting contest that will use the game preserve the bike course happens in on Saturday. No shooting of animals for those of you from PETA - only calling game and shooting with lasers and judges.

I am happy to report the beer is still the best in the world and cold and frothy. Despite the dollar being weak this summer the Czech Republic still provides a very good bang for your dollar.

XTERRA EUROPEAN TOUR STANDINGS
Following the first two events - the XTERRA European Championship in Italy and last weekend's XTERRA United Kingdom Championship in Wales - Nicolas Lebrun (a two-time Euro Tour Champ) leads the men's points chase. Reigning women's XTERRA World Champ Julie Dibens and Sibylle Matter share the women's lead with one race win each. The final points tally will be determined by counting a racers best four finishes out of the six Euro Tour events. Still to come are this Sunday's Czech Championship, XTERRA France-1 (July 6 in Auron), XTERRA Austria (Aug. 23 in Carinthia), and XTERRA France-2 (Sept. 28 in Mandelieu).

Top 10 Men
Nicolas Lebrun, 190 (2nd at Italy, Won UK)
Ronny Dietz, 151 (5th at Italy, 3rd at UK)
Jim Thijs, 128 (4th at Italy, 8th at UK)
Sam Gardner, 112 (9th at Italy, 6th at UK)
Lieuwe Boonstra, 106 (12th at Italy, 5th at UK)
Victor Del Corral Morales, 103 (10th at Italy, 7th at UK)
Olivier Marceau, 100 (Won Italy)
Conrad Stoltz, 90 (2nd at UK)
Felix Schumann, 82 (3rd at Italy)
Jorg Sheiderbauer, 75 (4th at UK)

Top 10 Women
Sibylle Matter, 100 (Won Italy)
Julie Dibens, 100 (Won UK)
Aneta Demelova, 98 (10th at Italy, 8th at UK)
Renata Bucher, 90 (2nd at Italy)
Anna Bayliss-Scheiderbauer, 90 (2nd at UK)
Carina Wasle, 82 (3rd at Italy)
Nicola Duggan, 82 (3rd at UK)
Andrea Huser, 75 (4th at Italy)
Riikke Kelja, 75 (4th at UK)
Marion Summerer, 69 (5th at Italy)