The Cyprus Sunshine Cup kicks off on Thursday with the four-day Afxentia stage race. It is probably the highest profile entry list in Afxentia's long history. Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesjaa tops the women's list at her debut on the island, and five of the world's top ten riders also lead the men's list.
"It will be hard to survive", expects the Spaniard José Antonio Hermida, looking at the start list and considering his debut in Cyprus. But the Multivan Merida biker is always good for a joke and he'll probably be one of those people who make it difficult for others himself to survive.
The former world champion also has four other top riders around him in the same jersey. You also have to watch out for Rudi van Houts, Thomas Litscher, Ondrej Cink and Julian Schelb.
Fabian Giger (Giant Pro XC) won the Afxentia overall rankings last year. He sounds confident even ahead of the 2014 edition. "My preparations are going according to plan. I'm feeling pretty good now and I'm looking forward to the first races. The overall victory last year was a good start to the season for me and a great success.", says Giger and adds: “I think the race will be a little tougher this year. There is one more stage and the competition is even better.”
Ralph Näf and Lukas Flückiger (BMC Racing) will use the Afxentia to prepare for the Cape Epic. It will be interesting to see if they stay together on stages two and three as they have to do with the Cape Epic.
London Olympic bronze medalist Marco Aurelio Fontana and Manuel Fumic, the captivating Cannondale duo, competed together in last year's Cape Epic but will forgo participation in 2014. Nevertheless, it's certainly possible they will work together, particularly on the two stages on Friday and Saturday. Vice World Champion Manuel Fumic says: "Cyprus is important for starting the season. Because of its HC status, there are a lot of points up for grabs, and I want to get as many as possible. It's great to have so many good riders at the start. This makes the Afxentia a kind of benchmark." Fumic lost many world ranking points in 2013 due to a shoulder injury and is currently ranked tenth.
The list of world-class drivers does not end there. Scott Odlo driver Florian Vogel should be considered, as well as Jan Skarnitzl (Sram Rubena Trek), who made a big jump in the world rankings after his overall CSC victory in 2013 (12th). Michiel van der Heijden (Ned) and his Swedish teammate Emil Lindgren (Giant Pro XC) also have to be included on the list.
Afxentia schedule
Day 1 – Time Trial Lefkara (5,7 km)
13:00 Start Juniors and Masters
14:00 Start women's and men's elite
Day 2- Lefkara – Lefkara (52 km)
11:00 Start Men's Elite
11:00 Start Ladies Elite, Juniors and Masters
Day 3 - Lythrodontas - Lythrodontas (39,5 km)
11:00 Start men
11:00 Start Ladies Elite, Juniors and Masters
Day 4 – Mantra tou Kampiou (1 loop 5,5 km)
10:00 Start Ladies Elite, Juniors and Masters
12:00 Start Men's Elite