The reigning Olympic Champion has chosen Italy for the seasonal debut: his SCOTT-SRAM Team expected in full force both on the Island of Elba (5 April) and in the South Tyrolean 'hors catégorie' appointment on 10 April: great expectations also for Kate Courtney and for Andora winner Lars Forster.
Source: press release
After the great debut of Andora Race Cup, Internazionali d'Italia Series is approaching the next events of Capoliveri Legend XCO and Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race, which promise to be the scene of two challenges at the highest levels of world Cross Country.
We are still at the dawn of the Tokyo Olympic season, but there are many protagonists who have already sent strong signals, and not only in off-roading. The holder of the five-circle title, however, is always him, mister eight world titles and seven world cups: Nino Schurter (Scott-SRAM) has not yet attacked the number in the back this 2021, but it won't be long in coming. To break the ice, the Swiss phenomenon has chosen the Internazionali d'Italia Series: Nino Schurter it will start on Monday 5th April on the Island of Elba and on Saturday 10th April in Nalles, in Alto Adige.
The 34-year-old reigning European champion is the brightest star of the squadron under the orders of Team Manager Thomas Frischknecht, who after celebrating Lars Forster's victory at Andora Race Cup will present himself in full force both in Capoliveri and in Nalles.
“I can't wait to resume: for my seasonal debut I could not have chosen a more beautiful place on the Island of Elba”, said Schurter, a great lover of the Tuscan coast. Furthermore, Italy has often brought luck to the Swiss champion: among his successes there are in fact the memorable stage of the Internazionali d'Italia Series 2016 in Milan-La Montagnetta and the incredible series of victories in Val di Sole, where imposed in the World Cup in the 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2018 editions.
KateCourtney
Together with Schurter there will be the 2018 World Champion Kate Courtney, also expected at her seasonal debut at Capoliveri Legend XCO, to do an encore a few days later in the 'hors catégorie of Nalles' appointment. The SCOTT-SRAM Team line-up is completed by the leader of Internazionali d'Italia Series Lars Forster and the other Swiss Andri Frischknecht.
Photos: KifCat
“I am thrilled to start my season in Italy. These races are important for the rest of the year - said the American, at her first time at the Internazionali d'Italia Series. “Due to the pandemic, I competed little last season but I am grateful to the organizers for having the opportunity to race this year. The events of the Internazionali d'Italia Series represent a great opportunity to collect precious UCI points and look forward to a summer of very important competitions ".
At the helm of the SCOTT-SRAM Team is another legend of fat wheels, Thomas Frischknecht, who has already returned to Andora to savor and appreciate the racing atmosphere on Italian soil: “We love racing in Italy and the Internazionali d'Italia Series it is a circuit that offers highly competitive races, perfect in approaching the first stages of the World Cup next May ”.
The Capoliveri Legend XCO program foresees Saturday 3 April the youth competitions and the historic Winter GP for the Beginners and Students categories, while on Monday 5 April it will be the turn of the Internazionali d'Italia Series tests: Men Junior at 10.30, Women Junior and Open at 12.30 and Men Open at 14.30.
Two days of competition also at the Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race: Saturday 10 April the tests of the Internazionali d'Italia Series are scheduled (the UCI Junior Series men's race at 9.00, the UCI Junior Series and Open women's competitions at 11.00 and the Men Open at 13.00). Sunday 11 April will be the turn of the youth competitions.
