PHOTO: Saturday, rookies and cadets will take in a special technical competition. - (Credits: Emanuele Barbaro). Free usage granted with credits. Click on the image to download..

Explosiveness and anaerobic resistance play a key role for Cross Country specialists. However also cycling handling and technical skills are equally, or even more, vital to overcome any obstacle and pitfall of the most challenging tracks in the World. Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race’s opening day will be focused on a special technical competition for the youth categories, scheduled on Saturday April 13th.

Waiting for the Cross Country's stars showdown of Internazionali d'Italia Series' stage 2 on Sunday April 14th, on Saturday morning at 11 CET Cadets and Rookies will get serious. Different challenges are part on Nals’ technical competition: balance trail, jumps, obstacles, climbing on roots, handling on dirt and counter-sloping hairpins, and even a stretch to be tackled with hands off the handlebar. Cadets race from 11 to 15 CET, rookies race from 13 to 17 CET. A challenge badge to be completed within four hours - the duration of the competition - will be given to all athletes.

The competition won’t have a dedicated standing, but it will count in a special combined classification with the Sunday’s cross country races in the corresponding categories. The cross-country races will also have independent standings, apart from the combined.

“Technical skills are developed when you are young, so you need to work on it - Eckard Figl, the Vice President of Sunshine Racers Nals, explained - Our event has included this special competition since 2014. These events are organized all over Europe and our athletes will have the chance to experience this kind of race in view of the European Championships”.

The initiative by the organizing committee of Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race has collected appreciation by Antonio Lazzarotto, the President of the Italian Cycling Federation Südtirol Committee. “This is a peculiar and remarkable race from a technical point of view. As Provincial Committee, we attach great value to these events which are becoming rare in Italy and abroad. Our team is always committed to the organization of events to promote cycling technical skills development, not only in MTB. The provincial youngsters championships, featuring multiple road/off-road challenges, will take place in Nals at the end of April, and kids will also take the center stage in a sprint race on the occasion of the final stage of the Tour of the Alps.”

Internazionali d’Italia Series’ schedule plans Women’s Cadets and Rookies races on Sunday, April 14th at 8.30 CET, followed by Men’s Cadets (9.15 CET), Men’s Rookies (10 CET), Men’s Junior (11.15), Women’s Open and Juniores (13 CET) and Men’s Open (15 CET).

Verona (Italy), April 9th, 2019