"I didn't get back on the bike until April and pretty much went straight back into the World Cup series and no time to prepare for each race," the Lapierre International rider said. "It's been good to have three weeks without racing to work on our bike and myself physically and mentally.
"I feel I am a lot better prepared for this race than I have been all year so I am excited."
Blenkinsop, from Wanganui who also rides for Lapierre International, is the only Kiwi male downhiller to finish on a world championship podium, finishing third at Champery last year.
Like Cole he has come back from a serious off-season injury with three top-10 world cup finishes this year.
"My form is pretty good although I have been struggling working on small things with the bike, so a bit of time off has been good to fine tune," said Blenkinsop.
"I feel strong now and that I've done everything I can do to come into this race.
"The track is more hard pack than in previous years and with the rain it has made it more slick and harder. It will roughen up a little bit.
"The key is getting some good lines and then holding your speed in the flat sections. Everyone will be the same in the woods because it is not really technical so who has the smoothest lines in the flat sections and can maintain speed will be the best."
Australian Michael Hannah was fastest ahead of in-form Canadian Steve Smith with favourite Aaron Gwin (USA) fourth fastest.
Coatesville's Sophie Tyas was eighth fastest in the junior women's timed training run although that included a crash which broke her seat off and she is confident she can push for a podium in racing tomorrow.
Best of the junior men were Reece Potter (Nelson) in 27th and Louis Hamilton (Rotorua) in 33rd, although both said they rode within themselves with the tough conditions.
Auckland's Sophie-Marie Bethell was 27th fastest while Nelson's Veronique Sandler had a flat tyre to finish 32nd fastest in the elite women with both riders also taking the conservative approach in the wet and mud.
