Events / Editor / 03 September 2007 / Leave a comment

Betting opportunities on cycling are wide and varied with odds available on a number of different events

Betting opportunities on cycling are wide and varied with odds available on a number of different events at the Mountain Bike World Championships at Fort William (September 4-8).

Punters can have a bet on five categories of racing, with odds available on Cross-Country, Downhill, 4X, Team Relay and Trials. In the cross-country Julien Absalon will defend the title he won last year in New Zealand and will be short odds to make it four in a row, while last year's silver medallist, Christoph Sauser, will attempt to go one better in Scotland.

Those looking to bet on the women's event must consider betting on Norwegian Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesja, who is going for four-in-a-row.

In the Downhill, a bet on defending champion Sam Hill of Australia could prove fruitful as he will be the man to beat but the odds on home favourite Steve Peat may well be tempting. Michael Prokop (Czech Republic) and Jill Kintner (USA) will head the betting in the 4X racing, but Brian Lopes (USA) and Guido Tschugg (GER) could also be a good bet.

There are betting chances on the trials, with Daniel Comas Riera and current champion Marco Hosel likely to be short odds in the Spanish and German teams, with Poland's Rafal Kumorowski always a threat. Danny Butler, Robert Poyser and Ben Savage lead the British contingent.

Betting on the Tour of Britain (September 9-15) is as popular as ever, and odds will be available on Martin Pedersen defending the title he won 12 months ago. The Tour of Britain will have six new teams participating. Sixteen teams of six riders will be on the start line for the Prologue in Crystal Palace.

There are betting opportunities on each stage, plus King of the Mountains and, of course, punters can bet on the overall winner. Luis Pasamontes finished second last year with Filippo Pozzato snatching the bronze medal but it will be a hotly contested race this term. Team betting will be available for the event which finishes in Glasgow for the first time in its history.

The Road World Championships take place in Stuttgart from September 25-30 with Italian Paolo Bettini the defending champion. German Erik Zabel finished runner up in last year's event with Spain's Alejandro Valverde taking bronze and punters can bet on all three this year.

With time trials preceding the elite men's and women's race there are numerous betting opportunities for the gruelling event over 260km. Russell Downing, Roger Hammond and David Millar are the British trio on show if a home bet is your choice.

Betting on the top three will be popular and those looking for odds on the winning nation must note that some countries are allowed to enter nine riders, while others can have just one.