The 2008 Megavalanche mountain bike race in Alpe d'Huez

More popular than ever, the 2008 edition of the magical Megavalanche downhill mountain bike race kicks off in Alpe d'Huez with seven days of riding, events and fun from tomorrow the 8th June. Covering 32kms and over 2500m of downhill height loss, the race has now become legendary in the mountain bike calender.

Following on from the success of the Mega Race in Cusco Peru, this year sees 1800 competitiors for the Megavalanche race in Alpe d'Huez alone, not counting those who enter the Avalanche Cup race. The resort is packed to the brim with slightly mad mountain bikers who relish the idea of the start line on the glacier at 3300m in waves of 200 competitiors to try and qualify for one of 400 coveted places in the grand final.

The fun starts in Tuesday with the test runs for the Avalanche Cup. Each evening there are events including the commercial village where you can go and check out the teams and the latest gear from the world's top mountain bike suppliers. There's also the Mega Film Festival which runs each evening during the competition at the Palais des Sports.

Wednesday the 9th is comp day for the Avalanche Cup, as well as the first day of open test runs for the Megavalanche. The day ends with an event at the Igloo nightclub in resort.

Thursday will be an interesting one with the Bike Speed on Ice event - with 50 selected rides competing to ride a break-neck speeds on ice! The day is also another free practice day for the Megavalanche.

Friday is the qualifier day for the Megavalanche, with waves of 200 contestants leaving the start line at once at intervals of 20mins. The top 400 qualifiers overall will go through to ride the Grand Final comp day on the Saturday. As well as the main race, Saturday sees the main ladies race as well as the next 360 qualifiers who compete in the Mega Promo race dearting after the others.

Of course, the race day ends with prize giving and a bit of a 'do' including DJs and live music from Yaccad at the ice rink.

Last year's main event was won by Scott rider Rene Wildhaber, his fifth Megavalanche victory, so let's see who's on form this year!