PHOTO: Yana Belomoina in action at 2018 Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race - (Credits: Michele Mondini). Free usage granted with credits. Click on the image to download.

Only few days are left to the 19th Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race, the historical Hors Categorie race in Nals (Bozen, Northern Italy), valid as Internazionali d’Italia Series stage 2. On Sunday April 14th, the Sunshine Racers Nals organizers are looking forward to welcome a star-packed field, that has just recorded its latest additions: the golden duo of CST Sandd Befang, formed by 2017 World Cup Champion, Ukrainian Yana Belomoina and Dutch Anne Tauber, will be back to South Tyrol for what is expected to be a World-class race.

The 26-year-old from Luc’k, #4 of the UCI World Ranking and winner of 2018 Internazionali d’Italia Series’ final stage in Chies d’Alpago, and her strong teammate, fourth last year in Nals, will be competing for Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race’s crown, defended by Sina Frei. A legitimate preview of the 2019 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup duels.

Sina Frei’s Team Ghost Factory Racing fields a bunch of strong rivals for Belomoina and Tauber: along with the reigning Under 23 World Cup champion, the German team counts on Barbara Benko, Lisa Pasteiner and 2018 Internazionali d’Italia Series’ overall winner Marika Tovo. Looking to be in the discussion are also Swiss Linda Indergand (Superior XC Team), Andora Race Cup’s winner and and GC leader Martina Berta (Torpado-Ursus) and the home riders, Eva Lechner (Torpado Südtirol) and Greta Seiwald (Santa Cruz FSA).

The Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race show already starts on Saturday, April 13, with the technical competition of Cadets and Rookies. On Sunday April 14th, Nals’ programme 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), April 6th, 2019