Race preparation will ensure you leave the others behind. This covers the core bike elements to ensure you are confident that your steed is as fit and able as you are. It's all about winning really or at least riding really fast.

(Courtesy of Park City TV )

Check List

• Tyre pressure and the right tyres are key. Make sure you have recent but bedded in inner tubes in your tyres. For maximum speed ride with your tyre pressure high. This will also avoid any pinch flats. Know the terrain and know the weather. If wet or if dry have the right tyres on and if wet and muddy consider lowering your pressure to maximise traction. If there are big drops again reconsider as you will be prone to pinch flats with low tyre pressure. It is a balance only you can answer but think it through. The  terrain weather and your style will answer this question.
• Check your tyre tread. How old are your tyres. With lots of use you can go through these easily in a season if not sooner.
• Check your cabling from gears and brakes. Clean inside the protective cover as this will ensure the smoothest changes and reactions.
• Brake pads need to be bedded in but not too thinning
• Your chain takes a lot of pain. Especially if you have raced with it on before. Check all the links and for any slack consider upgrading before. NB the cassette is likely to need changing too if so (check the teeth well)
• Test each spoke to make sure you are well trued in.
• Are your cranks wobbly? there should be no sideways give.
• How do your wheels spin. How clean are those bearing hubs?
• The rest is physical, technique and of course 110% mental.