The annual downtown race in Lisbon is set to run for its eighth consecutive year. As anyone who's ever attended will tell you this is one of the most off-the-wall events of the year. 20,000 spectators who normally couldn't care less about mountain biking flood the streets and freak out. Cedric Gracia said women chased after him and tried to rip his clothes off one year. Then again that probably describes every event he goes to, but I digress.

Suffice to say the environment of the race is just nuts. Riders bomb down the back alleys of Lisbon, Portugal dodging spectators and trying to beat a field of top downhill riders. Steve Peat has won seven times in a row. Considering his blistertering performance in Andorra last week I'd be surprised if he didn't win this weekend as well.

That said the field of competitors should be strong. The press release didn't have a rider list but with Nissan putting up real prize money it should attract a solid field, especially since only a small handful of top guys ducked out of Europe for the US Open this weekend.