Cycling: After a year's hiatus, the cross-country course between the ruins of Amathous is back in the Cyprus Sunshine Cup. Stephane Tempier and Kathrin Stirnemann lead the starting list of the final C1 race on the outskirts of Limassol on Sunday.
The view from the route is magnificent, the coast, the silhouette of Limassol, the Mediterranean Sea. Of course, mountain bikers should better focus on the perfect line in front of their bike in order to steer through the physically and technically demanding 5,5 kilometer course. It's going to be an intense race, that's for sure.
The women's start list is headed by Sprint World Champion Kathrin Stirnemann (Haibike-Ötztal) from Switzerland. She has shown improving form in the Afxentia stage race, finishing third in the final cross-country race.
Annie Last (Great Britain National Team) also returns after being forced to withdraw from Afxentia on Saturday due to stomach problems. Coming third in the opening time trial, she has already shown off her potential.
Former overall World Cup winner Lisi Osl (Ghost Factory Racing) is also considered a podium candidate, as are Ukrainian Yana Belomoina (Betch.nl Superior Brentjens) and Swiss Corina Gantenbein (Haibike-Ötztal) or Jovana Crnoogorac (Salcano-Cappadocia) .
Of course, London Olympic champion Julie Bresset (BH-Sr Suntour-KMC) also has to be taken into account. Even if the French take it easy. "I'm hoping for a good feeling, better than last weekend and that things go a little further", said the two-time world champion on Thursday while soaking up the sun at her Tochni accommodation.
Understandable after she had to pull out of her season midway through mental exhaustion in 2014. "I don't want to make the same mistake again and try to make small steps forward", according to Bresset.
She was twelfth in the Afxentia. "It was a bit difficult to accept," admits Bresset, "but I was able to enjoy the beautiful trails."
Helen Grobert has meanwhile also arrived on the island. The third of the German Championships has been driving for the Ghost Factory Racing Team since this year. The two-time U23 European Championship bronze medalist makes her debut on the Agios Tychon circuit. "I am a little bit nervous", admits Grobert, “It's my first real race this year on my new bike. After that, I'll see where I stand.", according to Grobert. are
It is Stephane Tempier who bears the greatest burden of favorites among the men. The Frenchman from Team BH Sr-Suntour-KMC was not far from victory at the Afxentia in third place. With that he has shown that he will be able to win the race in Amathous.
“It's a nice course”, says Stephane Tempier after his first impressions. "It's very different from last weekend, much slower." The fifth in the 2014 overall World Cup standings explains that the current week is "more for regeneration" but that he is optimistic for Sunday in Amathous. "I hope I can repeat what I did last weekend, then it's also possible to win." He has moved up to eighth in the world rankings after finishing third at Afxentia.
Of course, his compatriot and fellow Tem, Maxime Marotte, is also capable of this after overcoming his health problems. He had to take antibiotics because of an infection in his finger.
"I'll see during the race if I've recovered enough. If the form is good then I will go to the limit and fight for the win or the podium. If I'm exhausted, I won't risk anything. But I'm actually confident", gives Marotte insight.
Also of note is Grant Ferguson (Betch.nl Superior Brentjens), one of the positive surprises at Afxentia. He won the second stage in Lefkara.
Jan Skarnitzl (Sram Mitas Trek) did that on stage three and in 2013 he was the last winner at Amathous.
Sweden's Matthias Wengelin (SCS Racing Team) is back after overcoming a cold that forced him to retire from the Afxentia. You always have to watch out for a rider who can finish in the top ten in the World Cup. He was also third in Amathous in 2013.
Sebastian Carabin (Merida Wallonie) from Belgium and the Austrian Karl Markt (Haibike-Ötztal) can also be considered podium candidates.