The entry list of the Cyprus Sunshine Cup 2014 has got another prominent addition. The top teams Cannondale, BMC and Scott-Odlo will be represented on the island by absolute world-class riders. Some of them are preparing for their participation in the Cape Epic. The Cyprus Sunshine Cup begins on February 27th with the Afxentia stage race.
Cannondale Factory Racing Team's Manuel Fumic (Germany) has been a guest at the Cyprus Sunshine Cup a number of times. But for the 2014 edition, last year's vice world champion will have a top-class teammate with him. Olympic bronze medalist Marco Aurelio Fontana will accompany him. The Italian is in Cyprus for the first time.
The same applies to the Swiss Ralph Näf and Lukas Flückiger. The duo from the BMC Racing Team has been among the best cross-country riders in the world for many years. Flückiger was vice world champion in 2012, while Näf was world champion in both the eliminator sprint and the marathon. In 2007 he won the silver medal in the Olympic cross-country discipline.
“We want to have one more race before the Cape Epic, otherwise that would be too hard for the body. The other reason to start at Afxentia is to test the new material and setup before using it in South Africa.”
While Flückiger already has experience of racing in Cyprus, Näf will compete on the Mediterranean island for the first time. Together they will then be at the start of the Cape Epic MTB stage race at the end of March. The four-day Afxentia stage race will primarily serve as a preparation for the twice as long distance in South Africa.
“We want to have one more race before the Cape Epic, otherwise that would be too hard for the body. The other reason to start at Afxentia is to test the new material and setup before we use it in South Africa”, explains Näf and adds: “I am happy to be able to open my season in Cyprus for the first time. Finally it worked.”
Another prominent name on the entry list is that of her compatriot Florian Vogel. The biker from the Scott-Odlo Team holds a 2008 European Championship title, a 2008 World Championship silver medal and two World Championship bronze medals (2007, 2009). The two-time Olympian remains one of the world's best athletes in his sport and is aiming for another season at a high level.