It's that time of year again where I cast my net over the entry list for the worlds highest mountainbike race and offer up a few predictions on the unpredictable outcome of this epic race.
The 2016 event is definitely the race of the year.
It's the Tenth Anniversary of "The Showdown in the Annapurna's" and it's all set to be a very special edition of this already legendary sufferfest.
It's also about to carve its way through the stunning Upper Mustang Region (for the first and possibly only time ever) with no less than 17 mountain pass's over 3500m and the almighty Thorong La at 5416m.
It may be shorter in distance this year at just 350km but the bite is undeniably worse than the bark. Grrr.
The front end of the mens pack is a snarling pride of stage-race lions.
It's going to be a true Clash of the Titans this year, the most competitive Yak Attack ever.
Could this be the year that see's an end to the Nepali domination of the top spot? Let's take a look...
Could this be the year that see's an end to the Nepali domination of the top spot? Let's take a look...
