Südtirol Dolomiti Superbike
The 14th edition of the Suedtirol Dolomiti Superbike Mountain Bike Marathon will take place on Sunday 6th July 2008 with start at 8.00 a.m. The race encloses once again the two classic distances - short with 56,9 km and long with 119,9 km. Around 3,500 athletes are expected at the most popular MTB marathon in Italy.
The riders of the 14th Suedtirol Dolomiti Superbike can cover the 119.9 km distance. They will be additionally motivated by the two Mountain Prizes (GPM) at "Hauonld" in Innichen and at "Rotwandwiese" in Sexten.
The short distance of the Suedtirol Dolomiti Superbike measures 56.9 kilometres and its altitude difference amounts to 1,688 metres. For the short distance the Mountain Prize at "Plaetzwiese" and the Sprint Prize in Toblach will be awarded.
2008 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships in South Tyrol
South Tyrol hosts one more international mega event in 2008. On Saturday 5th July 2008 the 6th UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships take place in Niederdorf - Hochpustertal.
The World Championships, which count as an important test in regards of the Olympic Games in Peking, will be officially inaugurated at the main square of Niederdorf on Thursday 3rd July. The organizers have taken care of a colourful entertainment programme. Around 5,000 people are expected in Hochpustertal during the week of the races.
As preparation for these World Championships the OC Suedtirol Dolomiti Superbike has organized two top-class Wold Cup events in 2006 and 2007. "The World Championships are the result of a long and intensive process", says the chief of the organizing committee Kurt Ploner. "The event will bring international popularity and leads to a strong integration of South Tyrol, Hochpustertal and of Suedtirol Dolomiti Superbike in the international sports world".
The International Cycling Union (UCI) has assigned the MTB World Championships to South Tyrol in Holland in 2006. Suedtirol Dolomiti Superbike has been successful against three other candidates; these were Cortina D'Ampezzo (I), Kirchzarten (D) und Madrid (SPA). The main factors for the decision were the successful proven courses, the fascinating scenery of the Dolomites, the excellent organisation and emergency management, the positive feedbacks from athletes as well as the extensive infrastructures.
The course of the World Championships will be 119.9 km for the men respectively 88.6 km for the women and runs in anti-clockwise direction like it was in 2006. In this way the first long climb leads to "Plaetzwiese", this usually has been the last and often race deciding climb.
The shortened course of the women leads straight to Toblach and leaves out the first ascent to "Plaetzwiese".
As in previous years the start takes place on the main road by the central square of Niederdorf.
The duration of the race is estimated at 4.5 hours.
Schedule
Thursday, 3rd July 2008
Arrival of national teams
20.00: Official Opening Ceremony
Friday, 4th July 2008
10.00: Official Training
12.00-17.00: Riders confirmation & issue of starting bibs UCI MTB Marathon World Championships
17.00: Press Conference
18.00: Team Managers' Meeting
20.00: Official Evening
Saturday, 5th July 2008
11.30: Start Women - 88,6 km UCI MTB Marathon World Championships
12.00: Start Men - 119,9 km UCI MTB Marathon World Championships
13.00: Start Dolomiti Superbike Junior Race
15.30 - 16.30: Finish World Championships
after finish: Official Award Ceremony World Championships
18.30: Prize giving Dolomiti Superbike Junior Race
20.00: MTB World Champs Presentation
21.00: Official Evening
Sunday, 6th July 2008
8.00 - 8.20: Start all categories
9.00: Start Radkriterium Special Dolomiti Superbike
afterwords: Prize giving Radkriterium
16.00: Award Ceremony Südtirol Dolomiti Superbike
Courses World Championships
Distance men: 119,9 km
Total climbing: 3.822 m
Distance women: 88,6 km