Every year, numerous top riders gather in Cyprus for the start of the mountain bike season. However, the race rarely has as many world-class athletes as this year. Ralph Näf and Lukas Flückiger will use the stage race on the Mediterranean island as preparation for the Cape Epic. Despite race-related material tests and training intentions, the two are on the list of favorites for this race.

In addition to fast Swiss riders, the race attracts other top international bikers. The German Manuel Fumic, who has already competed in the Cyprus Sunshine Cup several times, will be accompanied this year by his Italian team colleague Marco Aurelio Fontana. The extension of the Afxentia stage race from three to four days will attract José Antonio Hermida (ESP) and Rudi van Houts (NED), two other world-class riders with the same idea as Flückiger and Näf.

The Afxentia stage race starts on Thursday, February 27 and ends on Sunday, March 2, 2014. One week later, the last competition of the Cyprus Sunshine Cup will take place in Voroklini with the C1 race.

www.cyclingcy.com

Source: Press release