The sixth and penultimate round of the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup takes place today outside of the sport's Belgian and Dutch heartlands as the Italian capital of Rome offers the Italians a rare chance to see the best cyclo-cross riders in action. Starting at 13.30 CET, you can follow the women's race here on CyclingQuotes, with the men's race set to begin at 15.00 CET.

The course in Rome is much different from the Belgian circuits. Last year's race was an extremely fast race in a big grass area that more looked like a road criterium than a true Belgian mud cross. This year the course has been slightly modified and heavy rain is expected but the race is again expected to suit some of the faster riders more than the technically strongest riders.

Katie Compton has managed to beat Marianne Vos several times since the world champion returned to competition just before Christmas and the American will be hoping to do it again as he looks to lock up the overall World Cup win already in the penultimate round. In the men's race, Lars van der Haahr has a great chance of consolidating his lead on a course that suits him extremely well and he will be full of confidence after winning the cross in Surhuisterveen on Thursday. However, he will have to beat world champion Sven Nys who has been dominating the cyclo-cross races in the Christmas period and simply crushed the opposition in his home race in Baal on Wednesday. The question is whether the course i difficult enough for the world champion to benefit maximally from his power and technical prowess.

You can follow both races below.