The current XTERRA World Champion, Julie Dibens, is in fine form ahead of this month's XTERRA UK. A convincing win over Switzerland's in-form, Nicola Spirig, at last weekend's Ironman Switzerland 70.3, confirmed that Dibens is back to winning ways after a couple of slightly below par performances in the early part of the season. This month she leaves the world of 70.3 behind and heads to Wales for XTERRA UK to race in her first competitive off-road event since becoming XTERRA World Champion. Julie Dibens takes a look at what's happened so far this season and what awaits her at this year's XTERRA UK.

The 2008 XTERRA season is now well underway. On the women's side three times XTERRA World Champion, Mel Mcquaid, laid down a super strong performance at the XTERRA USA West Champs in Temecula, California. Despite having her arm almost pulled off in the swim, and being stung by a bee on the bike, Mel showed how tough she is by still coming home in first place. Meanwhile back over on this side of the pond, on the beautiful island of Sardina, XTERRA Italy took place. Competition looked tough with quite a few top ranked European XTERRA athletes racing. Sybille Matter (SUI), the 2006 XTERRA World Champs runner up, came out on top, finishing just in front of Renata Bucher (SUI), a multiple XTERRA winner, and Carina Wasle (AUT) in third.

So taking into account these early season performances, things look to be hotting up just in time for UK XTERRA on the 21st June. I have yet to see an official start list, but I have heard rumours that someone called Mel is looking to come over to race "to take a good hard look at me," answers on a postcard as to who this "Mel" might be. Throw into the mix a super mountain biker/XTERRA athlete, Renata Bucher, and Swiss studette, Sybille Matter, who both look to be on great form and I reckon I might have my work cut out for me. Having done a course recce a few weeks ago I still have fresh memories of how tough a course it is. With the steep and never-ending climbs mixed in with short single track sections it is truly going to be a great test of both fitness and technical ability. Whatever the outcome I am looking forward to the race, and I hope I can rise to the challenge.