MTB cycling: After the Afxentia stage race almost a week ago, the Cyprus Sunshine Cup 2017 goes into the second round on Sunday. In Amathous, cross-country bikers can expect a tough course between ancient ruins. The favorites are Ukraine's Yana Belomoina (CST Sandd American Eagle) and France's Jordan Sarrou (BH-SR Suntour-KMC).
Even if the roles of the main favorites have already been taken, in the end completely different names can determine the C1 race on Sunday. One of those riders could be the Afxentia stage race winner Githa Michiels. The Belgian, who drives for the Versluys team, left two Olympic champions behind in Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesja and Sabine Spitz last week. Barbara Benko from Team Focus XC, who finished the Afxentia with third place, certainly also has a chance of winning. The Hungarian counts as a technically extremely qualified driver - a very good prerequisite for the race on Sunday. In the men's, Jordan Sarrou is considered the rider to beat. He finished the Afxentia stage race with two individual victories as second overall. A candidate who could make things difficult for him is likely to be Jan Skarnitzl. The Sram Mitas Trek rider will have fond memories of the race in Amathous: he won here in 2013. Thomas Litscher (jb Brunex-Felt) would like to finish at least in the top five, if possible even in the top three. Whoever wins the race, excitement is guaranteed.
The XCO circuit in Amathous is 4,72 kilometers long with an altitude difference of 175 meters. On Sunday from 9:15 a.m. the riders in the youth, junior, masters and hobby classes will be the first to start the race. At 11.00:15.00 a.m. comes the elite women’s class, with the elite men starting last. The award ceremony for all categories will take place at XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.