There is an old saying that reigning national mountain bike champion Brian Steinhoff will likely remember as he gets ready to defend his title on Sunday in the Winners Edge National Mountain Bike Championships - "always expect the unexpected".

Unfortunately for Steinhoff, it is a lesson learned after the horse has already bolted, or more accurately after MacInnis Looby has bolted.

Last year the 17-year-old Saltus student was riding high as he put his unquestioned cycling skills and renowned fearless style of riding to good use in lifting the title as the Island's top off-road specialist.

As he prepared for 2002 he could be forgiven for thinking that he would once again be the man to beat. But that was before national squad rider Looby, now a resident in England, returned to the Island for a three month visit.

The unexpected had arrived!

"I realise now that my preparation wasn't enough," said Steinhoff. "I really got ready to race Peter (Matcham) and the usual guys, and then when MacInnis showed up it took it to a whole different fitness level that I wasn't ready for."

Steinhoff won the first race of the season when Looby had mechanical problems, but puts the season into perspective.

""He (Looby) is so much stronger than me. I have really worked on my training since he got here, but the gap was too much to close," he said. "It has made me far more focused for the upcoming road racing. I have learned a lot from this experience."

A quietly confident Looby is feeling no pressure going into this week's championship race at Point Ferry Park.

He played down the importance of the event saying: "I am not feeling any pressure, I just want to have a good race without any problems and have fun."

Regarding Steinhoff, Looby had some encouraging words and even advice for the youngster.

"Brian has a lot of talent and is really fearless," he said. "Last week on the descents I just thought there was no way I could go with him, he was so fast. I had to be patient and rely on my fitness. If it hadn't been for a long straight stretch he might have stayed away."

As for this week?

"He needs to be a bit more patient, and not so impulsive," said Looby. "He tends to take off from the start and then fade. He needs to prolong his efforts."

The championship course at Ferry Reach, while containing technical aspects, is far more open than last weekend's Locust Hall event where the riders faced tough downhill sections, uneven surfaces and tight narrow turns. As a result it should suit the powerful riding style of Looby.

"This is definitely a course that should favour me," he said. "I still have sore shoulders after bouncing off trees last week, but the longer, open stretches at Ferry Reach should give me an advantage."

Steinhoff, while agreeing with Looby, has adopted a never-say-die attitude.

"I don't expect to beat MacInnis but my plan will be to stay with him as long as I can," he said. "Anything can happen in mountain biking, but the course definitely is to his advantage."

Riding a borrowed bike from top triathlete Kent Richardson, Looby says with a broad smile: "I just hope nothing silly happens with the bike, last week it pretty much fell apart on me."

The bike falling apart looks like the only thing that will stop Looby right now as he bids for his first National Mountain Bike Championship.

The event gets underway at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Entry forms are available at Winners Edge and the deadline is today at 5 p.m.