- 20 nations are competing, including Italy, Germany and France. Each nation is entitled to bring a team of four riders plus two individuals.
- The host nation, Great Britain, is permitted a squad of 12 (eight individual riders and the four-man team squad).
- The event's sponsors include Petplan, Waitrose, Classic FM and Gordon's Sloe Gin.
- Volkswagen is sponsoring the event for the first time.