The world's best riders will be heading to Vienna, Austria this week for the penultimate leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour. 

LGCT ranking leader Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) travels to Vienna with a slim five points lead ahead of two-time LGCT Champion of Champions Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) as the high stakes battle between the two top riders accelerates with both confirmed to compete in Vienna and Doha. The top Swedish rider now sits on a tally of 272 points overall with Edwina on 267 points - so far this season Rolf has two Grand Prix wins under his belt with the formidable Casall Ask (Paris and Valkenswaard), and Edwina has one (Miami Beach).

From the 15th - 18th September, Vienna hosts the Longines Global Champions Tour for the 5th year in a row. Situated in a new venue this year, and famous for its love of the horse, Trabrennbahn Krieau will welcome the Tour for another round of thrilling action.

World number three Simon Delestre (FRA) will be looking to carry through his momentum from the LGCT Grand Prix Rome, and will once again be competing in Vienna. He’ll be joined by his compatriot, Olympic team gold medallists and world number eight Kevin Staut (FRA) as well as last weekend’s LGCT Grand Prix winner Harrie Smolders (NED) - both of whom achieved podiums in Vienna last year.

Germany will field their top riders, including Olympic team silver medallists Ludger Beerbaum (GER), Daniel Deusser (GER) and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER). Former winner Marcus Ehning (GER) will also rejoin the Tour for the penultimate Grand Prix, alongside Marco Kutscher (GER), Maikel van der Vleuten (NED), John Whitaker (GBR), Lauren Hough (USA), Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER), Bertram Allen (IRL) and Michael Whitaker (GBR).

Source: Press release from LGCT // Picture © Stefano Grasso/LGCT