A world-class startlist for the women's race of the third stage of the Internazionali d'Italia Series on Saturday 10 April. Two-time reigning champion from Switzerland, Sina Frei puts the crown in the Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race into play. The vice-world champion Eva Lechner tries to exploit the home factor.
Source: press release
It is written Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race, it reads World Spring. The third stage of the Internazionali d'Italia Series scheduled for Saturday 10 April in Nalles (Bolzano) will be a real anticipation of what will happen in the key events of the 2021 season, from the World Cup to the Tokyo Olympics to the World Championships in Val di Sun.
Organized by the tried and tested ASD Sunshine Racers Nals, the only Italian UCI Hors Catégorie event is preparing to celebrate the milestone of the twentieth edition by offering a world show. In particular, the Women Open race, which over the years has seen authentic MTB legends such as Paola Pezzo and Gunn-Rita Dahle excel, will confront the best of the international scene.
The reigning champion is Sina Frei, able in the last two editions to exploit her featherweight to unleash the tussle on the Nightingale and outdistance her opponents. “I can't wait to compete in Nalles, I have wonderful memories of this race - explains the Swiss. - I am ready to give my best in front of a top-level starting field. The route is perfectly suited to my characteristics. It is a perfect test in view of the World Cup ”. The Specialized Racing athlete is well aware of the fiercest competition ever. Alongside her there will be the young Austrian Laura Stigger, winner in Nalles in 2018 in the Juniores category.
The list of opponents is headed by the World Champion Pauline Ferrand-Prèvot (Absolute Absalon), who after the subdued start in Andora will try to take revenge in South Tyrol. At the wheel of the rainbow there are always those who dream of regaining that jersey, the blonde Swiss Jolanda Neff (Trek Factory), who unlike her transalpine rival has started the season well with the success of the Andora Race Cup.
Sina Free
The pitfalls from France did not end with Ferrand-Prèvot: U23 world champion Loana Lecomte and teammate Julie Bresset will also take part in the Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race. Galvanized by the success of Capoliveri Legend XCO, American Kate Courtney (SCOTT-SRAM) will be at the starting line, while Team Ghost will line up compactly in defense of Caroline Bohe's leader jersey: alongside her Anne Terpstra, Nadine Rieder and Nicole Koller.
Italy, on the other hand, focuses strongly on the home athlete, the vice world champion Eva Lechner (Trinx Factory Team), already winner in Nalles on four occasions (2009, 2010, 2013, 2014). The South Tyrolean will try to assert the perfect knowledge of a circuit. “For me it is a special event, I really care - said the South Tyrolean. - The condition is growing: I will try to play it well aware of a stratospheric general level. In Nalles you can't cheat: strength and endurance count more than technique and driving skills ”.
There will also be another South Tyrolean in the race, Greta Seiwald (Santa Cruz), while the other Italian hopes are pinned on a perky Chiara Teocchi (Trinity Racing Team), second overall in Capoliveri, and on the Aosta Valley Martina Berta (Santa Cruz).
Among the luxury outsiders, eyes on Alessandra Keller (Thömus RN), Linda Indergand (Swiss National Team), Yana Belomoina and Anne Tauber (CST PostNL), and on the very young Mona Mitterwallner (Trek Vaude), splendid second in the opening of Andora and winner in Nalles in 2018 among the students.
Program divided over two days of competitions for the Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race. The Internazionali d'Italia Series competitions are scheduled for Saturday 10 April (the men's UCI Junior Series competition at 9.00 am, the UCI Junior Series and Open women's competitions at 11.00 am and the Men's Open competition at 13.00 pm). Sunday 11 April will be the turn of the youth competitions (Women Beginners and Students at 9.00, Men Beginners 1st year at 10.00, Men Beginners 2nd year at 11.00, Men Students 1st year at 12.00 and Students 2nd year at 13.00).
