Canberra's Henderson is confident she has done everything she can to prepare herself for her shot at Olympic gold on Sunday morning, not that she is getting ahead of herself.

"I'm not putting pressure on finishing a particular number on what position I hope to achieve," Henderson said.

"I don't expect to be in the medals but I also know anything can happen, I want to have the best possible race I can."

Henderson came away with the bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games – a long way to come after being "dragged" into the sport by her brother and father.

"Racing in London and also the 2014 Commonwealth Games was great experience," Henderson said.

"I know what to expect from the village and working with different staff than we are used to and all that comes with the Olympic experience."

But while the 24-year-old has seen it all before, the nerves haven't disappeared ahead of Henderson's second Olympic Games.

"Of course I will be nervous for the race but I am comfortable about what to expect from the week at the Olympic Games," Henderson said.

Henderson expects that while she will feel comfortable in the village, it is her familiarity with the course that will hold her in good stead. Henderson believes the track will evoke memories of her maiden Olympic Games four years ago.

"I was in Rio in October last year and had the chance to spend some time on the course," Henderson said.

"There have been a few changes made since the test event in October but the course is similar to London 2012.

"[It is] fast and [has] many man-made sections. There is plenty of climbing but it will also be a very tactical race."

An eighth-placed finish at Canada's Mountain Bike World Cup was Henderson's final preparation before the focus turned to fine-tuning and rest ahead of the penultimate day of the Games.

Henderson's partner Dan McConnell will make history by becoming the first Australian male athlete to compete in mountain biking at three Olympics.

The 31-year-old finished 39th in Beijing before improving to 21st in London four years ago. Another leap like that could see the world no.12 usurp Cadel Evans as Australia's best performing male in the discipline at any Olympic Games.

The five rings are in McConnell's blood after mother Jenny competed in athletics for Australia at the 1972 Munich Games, finishing eighth in the 1500m and 22nd in the 800m event.

Henderson will race in the women's mountain biking cross-country final on Sunday, at 1:30am AEST, with McConnell following on Monday morning.