Edwina Tops-Alexander sits in third position in the standings ahead of the Global Champions Tour leg in Monaco ©Getty Images

Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander will look to make the most of the absence of title rivals Peder Fredricson and Ben Maher at the Global Champions Tour (GCT) event in Monaco.

Fredricson of Sweden leads the standings with 149 points while Britain’s Maher sits second on 132.

But the pair have decided to skip the sixth leg of the season, providing an opening for Tops-Alexander who trails Fredricson by 29 points and Maher by 12.

Fredricson also missed last week’s stage in French capital Paris along with Scott Brash, but the British rider who lies in fourth place with 108 points returns for the Monaco leg.

Fifth-placed Bart Bles of The Netherlands is also absent, opening the door for Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya and France’s Olivier Robert to boost their top-five hopes.

Scott Brash returns to Global Champions Tour action after skipping the Paris leg ©Getty Images
Scott Brash returns to Global Champions Tour action after skipping the Paris leg ©Getty Images

Italy’s Alberto Zorzi and Emanuele Gaudiano, both former winners in Monaco, will be returning to the venue aiming to secure a ticket to this year’s Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix.

The Global Champions League is also set to resume in Monaco with Valkenswaard United looking to strengthen their lead at the top of the standings.

Valkenswaard lead the rankings with 157 points ahead of Shanghai Swans and Monaco Aces who have registered 116 and 108 points from the first five stages.