After the drama of Sierre-Zinal, the Mountain Running World Cup returns this weekend with a different kind of test. Vertical Nasego and Trofeo Nasego bring a double-header to northern Italy, drawing many of this season's leading contenders alongside some of the sport's most decorated names - and a seven-nation team competition that adds a further edge to proceedings.

New season, new shooting star. While the boisterous crowd was absent from this year’s World Cup opener in Sölden, one guy had every reason to scream for joy: Redster millennial Lucas Braathen impressively took home his first World Cup win on the bumpy course on Rettenbachferner glacier. His victory was a prime example of team building in a sport that is mostly known for lone fighters. Even though Overall Word Cup winner and Atomic buddy Aleksander Aamodt Kilde DNF the first run (after best split time), he decided to stay and support his roommate Lucas, giving him the all-important insider tip on which ski to take in run two …