It was calm before the storm in Fort William yesterday, but today the world's mountain- biking community will gather for the eagerly-anticipated UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships. A reminder of how quickly Scotland has grown as an epicentre for the sport was no more evident yesterday than in the collective look of disbelief which set upon the faces of the organisers at news of early box-office receipts.

Despite last year's World Cup in the Lochaber town bringing in more than 20,000 spectators and £2m to the economy, the word emanating from the Championship Village yesterday was that sales are already up 50% cent on 2006 and a staggering 300% for Friday's races.

It is on Friday that the biggest hitters of the global mountain-biking scene will commence battle in the 4X World Championships for men and women.

The event then builds to a crescendo towards the weekend, with the crowning downhill events on Aonach Mor pushing the passionate Scottish crowd to the edge.

This is the first time the World Championships have ever been held in the UK and the 700 competitors from 50 countries will make it the biggest sporting event in Caledonia in 2007.

From all corners of the world, competitors were yesterday making their way to Fort Bill, as it is affectionately termed in biking parlance.

It may have been quiet below the towering Nevis Range but, for the athletes, that special Fort William adrenaline is beginning to build.

"I think this is the strongest GB team we have had at the World Championships," said Tracy Moseley, who won the overall World Cup series in the Women's Downhill in 2006. "Hopefully, with the home crowd, we can get the results that our potential suggests.

"The special thing about Fort William is the crowd. The track is tricky and the wind and rain make it a real physical challenge but it is, by far, the best atmosphere in the world."

Moseley, like so many of the top British medal prospects, was making her way north yesterday ahead of today's official opening ceremony.

The punishing 2.8km downhill circuit of Aonach Mor, Britain's ninth-highest mountain, has a special place in her heart, as it was here that she won her first World Cup event in 2002.

Sabrina Jonnier, of France, will be the rider most likely to stand between her and her first World Championship victory, but she is hopeful her favourite event can add to her trove of fond career memories.

"I have been up to Fort William to prepare and I know I can do well here. Hopefully, the home support can help swing it for me. This is the best chance I'll have of winning the World Championship."

The cross-country team relay event is the main item today, before the official opening.

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