PHOTO: Maxime Marotte is one of the most awaited athletes at 2019 Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race - (Credits: Emanuele Barbaro). Free usage granted with credits. Click on the images to download.

The most important Italian Mountain Bike circuit, Internazionali d’Italia Series, is moving toward an exciting appointment, after opening the 2019 edition in Andora (Liguria). The circuit organized by CM Outdoor Events, with the backing of the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) and the International Cycling Union (UCI), is warming up for its “hors catégorie” event, the Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race, to be held in Nals (Bozen, Northern Italy), on Sunday April 14th.

In view of the 19th edition, the Sudtirolean MTB event will be welcoming the top riders of International Cross Country on the traditional 4-Km circuit with a 175 mt. elevation gain, characterized by the long Nachtigall climb. Among the strongest teams at the start in Nals, Cannondale Factory Racing will be in the front line with two top-level athletes, Maxime Marotte and Manuel Fumic.

Third in the 2018 edition behind Mathias Flückiger and Stephane Tempier, the 32-year-old Frenchman will try to win Internazionali d’Italia Series’ longest-tenured stage. “After a big training block, it's time to take part in the main events of the spring – Marotte explains. – In Nals, I’ll find a strong field and a nice location: I like the course, with a long and difficult ascent. I thrive the competition against front line rivals, it’s a boost to give the best of me.”

Unlike Marotte, German Fumic - runner-up at the Absa Cape Epic with Henrique Avancini - already knows the “perfect recipe” for success in Nals. The 36-year-old from Kirchheim unter Teck conquered two wins in consecutive years in Nals (2013 and 2014), claiming the second place in the 2015 edition. Cannondale’s duo will have to watch out for international top riders such as 2019 Internazionali d’Italia Series’ overall leader Stephane Tempier (Bianchi Countervail), winner in Nals in 2016, and Italian National Champion Gerhard Kerschbaumer (Torpado-Gabogas), still after his first elite success in his home race.

On Tuesday April 2nd (h. 10.30 AM CET), the Raiffeisen Pavillon in Bozen will host Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race’s official presentation. OC President Florian Pallweber will be the host, joined by guests such as the President of Bolzano’s FCI Committee Nino Lazzarotto and Italian XCO National Champions Gerhard Kerschbaumer and Eva Lechner.

The Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race of Sunday April 14th starts with the Women Cadets and Rookies (8.30), followed by Men Cadets (9.15), Men Rookies (10.00), Men Juniors (11.15), Women Juniors and Elite (13.00) and the Men’s Open race closing the day at 15.00.

Verona (Italy), March 29th, 2019