Ruslan Murashov is the highest ranked entrant over 500m in the World Cup standings ©Getty Images

Top speed skaters will face a final test before three successive World Championships at the International Skating Union (ISU) World Cup at the Sportforum Berlin, which is due to begin tomorrow. 

In the absence of team-mate Pavel Kulizhnikov, Russia's Ruslan Murashov will start as favourite in the 500 metres as he seeks to replicate his victory at last month's event in Heerenveen.

Another Russian, Denis Yuskov, is the highest-ranked entrant in the men's 1,500m.

Dutchman Kjeld Nuis will seek to extend his 100 per cent record so far this season over 1,000m.

A strong Dutch team will also include 5,000m ranking leader Jorrit Bergsma.

United States' Heather Bergsma is entered for the 500m, 1,000m and 1,500m women's events where she takes on another powerful Dutch contingent.

This will include 1,500m rankings leader Marrit Leenstra and four-time Olympic champion Ireen Wüst.

America's Heather Bergsma is among the leading female entrants in Berlin ©Getty Images
America's Heather Bergsma is among the leading female entrants in Berlin ©Getty Images

Action is due to begin at the Sportforum Berlin tomorrow and continue until Sunday (January 29).

The World Single Distance Championships is scheduled to take place from February 9 to 12 in Gangneung in South Korea.

Calgary is then due to play host to the World Sprint Championships from February 25 to 26.

The season is scheduled to end with the World Allround Championships in Hamar on March 4 and 5.

Tomorrow will also see the first day of competition at the ISU World Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Innsbruck.

Action is set to continue in the Austrian city until Sunday.