The ETU return to Italy this weekend for the final Winter European Cup of 2012 in Mals.

It is the fifth and final European Cup of the Winter series which began in Lygna two months ago.

This is the second race in a week in Italy following the European Winter Championships in Valsesia and many of the athletes who started that race are involved in Sunday's race.

It will be interesting to see how much last week's exertions have taken out of the athletes.

In the Elite Men's field, Daniel Antonioli of Italy will start as favourite on home soil following his silver medal in the European Championships.

Russian trio Pavel Andreev, Evgeny Kirrilov and Maxim Kuzmin all finished in the top 8 in Valsesia without making the podium and they will be keen to rectify that here.

Another Russian to look out for is Pavel Eliseev. He was crowned Junior European Champion in Valsesia and will now make the step up to the senior Elite race.

Of the Women's Elite field only Yuri Surikova and Tatiana Charochkina (both of Russia) were in action at the European Championships.

They will be joined by Sarka Grabmullerova (CZE) who is competing in her first International race of 2012. Grabmullerova was runner up in the European and World Championships in 2011.

Renate Forstner of Germany is also on the start line and she won here last year. She also has a Winter Cup victory under her belt from Oberstaufen last month.

The one to watch in the Women's race is Russian Natalie Skuratovich.

She is the 20-24 Age Group European Champion and also won the World 20-24 Age Group category in Jamijarvi.

It is quite a pedigree and she makes the step up to Elite competition here.

RACE INFO:

Sunday 11th March, 1030 local time

Distance: 6km run / 11km mountain bike/ 8km ski

Elite Men Start List

Elite Women Start List

Full results and timings and a race report will follow on the ETU website.