Among the favourites, the top three in the UCI marathon world ranking: Fabian Rabensteiner, Andreas Seewald and Martin Stošek.
Source: press release
Besides them Leonardo Paez, seven times winner of the HERO Dolomites, Urs Huber, Alban Lakata, and Diego Arias Cuervo. Not least the women's starting list which sees the top two in the ranking lined up, Lejla Njemčevic and Stefanie Dohrn, who will have to contend with Claudia Peretti, Costanza Fasolis and Sandra Mairhofer; Adelheid Morath is also at the start, first in the 2022 edition and Katazina Sozna, winner in 2018 and 2021.
Also at the start was the strongest Italian cyclist of the 2000s, Vincenzo Nibali, and the London 2012 Olympic medalist, Marco Aurelio Fontana.
The date of the BMW HERO Südtirol Dolomites is approaching, the toughest mountain bike marathon in the world designed since the first edition in the presence of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and which this year received the prestigious UCI Hors Class classification. The usual kick-off will be on Saturday 17 June from the main street of Selva Val Gardena where thousands of bikers from 36 countries are expected. A jubilation of flags to underline the international nature of a sporting event that goes far beyond competitive spirit, albeit practiced at high levels, but which is a veritable celebration of off-road cycling and the promotion of sustainability and environmental protection.
Among the thousands of amateurs who will challenge themselves on the two traditional race routes – the “long” with 86km and 4.500 meters in altitude, the “short” with 60km and 3.200 meters in altitude – expected on the starting grid are the names of reference for regarding the "marathon" discipline within the UCI, the world federation.
A real parterre de rois that promises to give great emotions, in a challenge between passion, technique and tenacity.
The favourites
At the start of BMW HERO Südtirol Dolomites 2023 there will be the best specialty athletes currently classified in the top positions of the world ranking in the "marathon" discipline.
Among these, the home athlete Fabian Rabensteiner who is in first place in the UCI ranking, Andreas Seewald, winner of the 2021 edition and currently second in the world results, will also compete for the podium. Teammate and world number 3 Martin Stošek from the Czech Republic will race alongside the German. Colombian Leonardo Paez is inevitable at the start, who will try to take his eighth victory at the HERO. Other important returns are also that of the Colombian Diego Arias Cuervo and the Swiss Urs Huber, fourth last year; last, but certainly not least, the Austrian Alban Lakata, already three times marathon world champion and winner of the HERO 2015.
The challenge for the women's podium
No less important and multi-decorated is the women's starting grid: while the men of the UCI Elite category will compete on the long course, the Elite women will battle on the 60 km track and 3.200 meters in altitude. Of course, all eyes are on the current number one in the UCI mountain bike marathon ranking, Lejla Njemčević: making her debut at the BMW HERO Südtirol Dolomites, the Bosnian already promises great results. It will be challenged by the German Stefanie Dohrn, second in the UCI ranking and also for the first time on the paths of the Dolomites. With them Claudia Peretti from Novara, reigning Italian champion and currently fifth in the UCI ranking. Among the athletes who already know the HERO Dolomites, we find the German Adelheid Morath, who will try to repeat the victory of 2022. With her also the Lithuanian, but now naturalized Italian, Katazina Sozna, sixth in the world ranking and winner of the 2018 and 2021 editions On June 17th there will also be the return of Costanza Fasolis, fifth last year. Finally, Sandra Mairhofer, local athlete. Also confirmed the presence of Samara Sheppard from New Zealand at her second HERO.
The Shark in the Dolomites
Great expectations also for the participation of Vincenzo Nibali who, having finished his incredible professional career on the road, chose to return to the Dolomites but this time no longer with a road bike, but with the mountain bike with which he has always remained in training . A challenge in which he promises, as always, to give his best.
Marco Aurelio Fontana, bronze medalist in London 2012 and the first Italian to receive an Olympic medal in mountain biking in the men's field, is also at the start.
Finally, Pasquale Bruno, the former Juventus and Turin player, will also be present this year at his sixth participation in the HERO.
