With only a week to go before the second edition of the Saab Salomon Mountain X Race gets underway in the Mont Blanc region in France, teams from all over the world are putting the final touches to their preparations, readying themselves for one of the most exciting and innovative events in the adventure racing calendar.

Among the long list of ingredients, essential to the success of any sporting event, there are two that are absolutely vital: an eclectic field of internationally recognized, topflight contenders, co -mingled with a complementary crowd of experienced outsiders, and a well-designed, exciting and demanding course. Get the second one right and the first looks after itself. Given the quality of the field, returnees and first timers, the unparalleled expertise of the seasoned course designers and the worldwide renowned location, the Savoie Mont Blanc region, this year's MXR, due to kick-off on 21st July, bears the hallmark of a classic.

Few races, even those aimed at the global AR audience, manage to attract such a universal line-up. Among the 13 nations present are Australians PEAK ADVENTURE, captained by former Australian sprint AR champion Kohlar JARAD and highly qualified level one kayak coach, and ORIONHEALTH.COM, one of New Zealand's rising stars eager to translate their success on the international longdistance circuit into triumph on the fast and technically demanding race format of the MXR. The American continent is sending a robust rejoinder to the antipodes with world beating contingents like NIKE, SALOMON CRESTED BUTTE, both men's and women's teams, and NIKE/BEAVER CREEK. Brazil and Canada are also represented respectively by deceptively named WRR1/SAVOIE MONT BLANC, a talented and experienced team including Spanish all-rounder Rafael MELGES and 2 Brazilian teammates, and URBAN ATHLETE/HELLY HANSEN billed as "...Canada's premier adventure racing team, and
one of the top teams world-wide...".

The "Old World" is out in force too with last year's victors, SAAB SALOMON from the UK, joined by two compatriot teams, TEAM ALPKIT, a trio of triathletes, and TEAM INOV-8, another all female squad. The "host nation" France, with three in the top five last year, has an array of teams ranging from first-time hopefuls like SALOMON FRANCE-COFATHEC, a team of young trail running specialists led by Thomas LORBLANCHET, to LAFUMA -SPORT 2000 VIBRAM, 5th place finishers in 2007, joined by Myriam GUILLOT and registered as a co-ed team this year.

The powerful Spanish, SALOMON SANTIVERI 1 and 2, are back and will prove as difficult to beat as last year when they finished 3rd and 6th respectively. Italy, Poland, Germany, Denmark and Sweden complete the European presence all fielding squads that, given the fast and technically challenging stages of this unique event, are more than capable of causing some upsets in the overall ranking. A colourful crowd certain to grace the screens of the only outdoor multisport event produced & broadcast in HD.

To discover all the teams: nationalities, profiles, categories, etc., go to mountainxrace.com.