With the melting of the Alpine snows the serious mountain running season in Europe commences with the first of four Grand Prix races on Sunday 10th June.
The venue is Sierre (Switzerland) and the mountain Crans-Montana which is, famous for it skiing facilities.

The 12.7 km course (men) and 8.5km (women) are the same as the ones which will be used for the 2008 World Trophy so providing a good opportunity for athletes to preview that event.

Last years Grand Prix winners Jonathan Wyatt and Anna Pichrtova are both missing from the entry list. Wyatt with a friends wedding, and Pichrtova, in training, but still recovering from her serious car accident in Nigeria last November.
Therefore, the favourite will be Marco Gaiardo (ITA), last years Grand Prix runner-up and European champion, challenged possibly by teammate Gabriele Abate (ITA) and ex European champion Alexis Gex-Fabri (SUI)
In the absence of Pichrtova, the clear favourite for the womens race is 2006 World silver medallist, Martina Strachl (SUI).

The 2007 Grand Prix series consists of four races, with athletes counting three results towards the final rankings

Danny Hughes