MTB News: The Cyprus Sunshine Cup 2019 heralds the start of the new cycling season for many MTB professionals in February. The 24th edition of the Afxentia stage race is also used by two world champions in their preparations for the Cape Epic. Both marathon world champion Annika Langvad and road world champion Anna van der Breggen will be at the start on the sunny Mediterranean island.

As part of the Cyprus Sunshine Cup 2019, the two cycling stars Annika Langvad and Anna van der Breggen will start in the Afxentia stage race. The Dane and the Dutch use the race in Cyprus to take part in the Cape Epic together. Annika Langvad is regarded as an outstanding figure in mountain biking, having won the marathon world championship no fewer than five times. The 34-year-old Dane also became Cross-Country World Champion in 2016 and two years later just missed out on winning the World Championships in Lenzerheide.
“The Cape Epic is always the highlight of my season. I'm honored to race with Anna - to race with an Olympic and world champion road racer is unique. Doing the Cape Epic with Anna feels so adventurous as if I were there for the first time. I know we will be a strong team” – Annika Langvad
Since this season, Annika Langvad has also been a member of the Boels-Dolmans road team, whose star is Anna van der Breggen. The 28-year-old Dutchwoman became Olympic champion in 2016 and road world champion in 2018. At last year's edition of the Afxentia stage race, Anna van der Breggen rode straight to the top of the podium in her debut mountain bike race. After the Afxentia at the end of February, Anna van der Breggen will contest the Cape Epic for the first time in March alongside Annika Langvad.
"I'm looking forward to a great adventure and to doing something I've never done before. I can't wait to be part of one of the toughest mountain bike races in the world” – Anna van der Breggen
Cyprus Sunshine Cup 2019: the dates
- February 21-24, 2019: Afxentia Stage Race (SHC)
- March 03, 2019: Amathous (C1)