Two-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Julien Absalon of France is the man to beat in the world mountain-bike cross-country championships this week in Rotorua, New Zealand.

Absalon, who won the European title at the end of July, heads the field contesting the 6km course along with third-ranked Jose Hermida (Spain) and second-ranked Christoph Sauser (Switzerland).

The top-ranked woman in the cross-country is world and Olympic champion Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Norway), who will be trying to fend off a field including second-ranked German Sabine Spitz and Irina Kalentieva of Russia.

Another top event is the downhill, which will be fought out over a steep 2.2km course at Rotorua, a New Zealand tourist mecca famous for its volcanic activity and a center of indigenous Maori culture.

Defending champion Fabien Barel of France will be absent due to injury, presenting an opportunity to Briton Steve Peat. Fellow Briton Marc Beaumont is third favorite and second-ranked Sam Hill of Australia is another top contender.

Those likely to figure in the finish of the women's downhill title are British pair Tracy Moseley and Rachel Atherton, as well as France's Sabrina Jonnier.

World-championships schedule:

Tuesday: Team relay

Wednesday:Junior women cross-country, under-23 women cross-country

Thursday: Junior men cross-country

Friday: Under-23 men cross-country, 4X men/women

Saturday: junior women/men downhill, women downhill, men downhill

Sunday: women cross-country, men cross-country.