The event, taking place at the Park des Espositions de Bordeaux, will be followed by the final leg in Gothenburg later this month.

Frenchman Kevin Staut will be the favourite to continue his dominance of the seasonal standings on home turf.

He has accrued a 13-point lead so far after a third place finish at last week's event in Zurich.

Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann lies in second place overall, on 64 points.

Edwina Tops-Alexander of Australia sits third, on 50.

Swedish newcomer Stephanie Holmén earned an impressive win on just her second Western European League appearance in Zurich last week.

Pius Schwizer of Switzerland, riding About a Dream, finished second.