March 15/08 7:01 am - UCI World Cup Marathon #1

Posted by Editoress on 03/15/08
 

Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup - Marathon Manavgat, Turkey
Courtesy UCI

Photos by Frank Bodenmüller

The 2008 Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano kicks off this weekend in Manavgat, Turkey.

A total of 120 Elite riders are entered for the first marathon event, which will follow a 90km circuit along the foothills of Manavgat.

All the top Marathon riders will be at the start line on Sunday: the winner of the 2007 World Cup,Thomas Dietsch (Gewiss Bianchi), Alban Lakata (Dolphin-Trek Mountain Bike Racing Team), Marzio Deho and also Julio Carlo Da Silva (Gewiss Bianchi). It is also worth mentioning the presence of Miguel Martinez, the 2000 Olympic Champion and multiple World Champion.

In the women's competition, the 2007 World Cup winner, Pia Sunstedt (Sweden), is definitely the favourite. Only Austria's Fabienne Heinzmann (Dolphin-Trek Mountain Bike Racing Team) and Switzerlands' Esther Süss appear capable of providing her with serious competition.

The riders' aim is clear: win the first World Cup of the season, receive the new leader's jersey and above all win points that are important for the overall victory of the Marathon World Cup.

This year, the World Cup consists of two legs, Manavgat and Ornans. This competition in France will close the season on October 5th 2008.

The winners of the World Cup in Manavgat will have the honour of wearing the new leader's jersey. For the first time, the leader's jerseys are identical for all the disciplines ˆ Olympic cross-country, marathon, downhill and four-cross.