Marlene Sunshine Race
The 8th edition of the Marlene Sunshine Race is taking place on April 6, 2008 in Nalles / South Tyrol. This cross-country race is one of the best attended in Italy and is part of the race series "Internazionali D’Italia Respira".
Women’s Elite and U-23 will start at 12:00 noon and men at 2:00 pm on April 6 2008.
There are now fewer switchbacks on the narrow and difficult uphill "Nachtigallenweg" right after the Start / Finish area to accommodate for a larger space dedicated to spectators. OC Head Florian Pallweber explains that it is of utmost importance to the organizers to align the interests and requirements of both athletes and audience members alike. "We want to offer a clear trail to the riders and at the same time get the audience as close as possible to the course. You need space for that".
Dozens of volunteers have been working on the racing trail for weeks to create the appropriate viewing passages for the audience bringing them even closer to the action. There are now fewer switchbacks on the narrow and difficult uphill "Nachtigallenweg". Improvements were also carried out at the spectacular Kastanienwald-Downhill and at the Kastanienwald itself.
A new record was set with 670 athletes from 23 nations attending the "8th Marlene Sunshine Race". "It is an honor to have such an international profile" says OC President Florian Pallweber. "And it is a testament to the popularity of the race".
218 of the 670 athletes belong to the Elite Women and Men categories. Record numbers were attributed to the fact that the race is part of the "Internazionali d’Italia" race series and because the venue was also host to the Italian Club Championships which attracted many young athletes.
Women
Junior World Champion Nathalie Schneitter, 22, from Switzerland has prevailed at the "8th Marlene Sunshine Race" in Nals / South Tyrol. Silver went to Olympic Champion Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesja, bronze to Elisabeth Osl from Kirchberg in Tirol, Austria.
Nathalie Schneitter dominated the race which took place under cloudy skies and low temperatures. Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesja briefly took the lead at the end of the fourth laps. The Swiss college student, graduating in Business and Economics, managed the 1800 meter altitude in 1 hour, 55 minutes and 30 seconds. She distanced herself from the second-placed Norwegian by 1'12"’. Elisabeth Osl placed third with a delay of 3'43". Forth placing went to the leader of the "Internazionali d’Italia" race series Annabella Stropparo ahead of U-23 European Champion Eva Lechner from South Tyrol.
All eyes were on Gunn-Rita Dahle, who celebrated her comeback after a lengthy absence from the racing world. She kept up with Schneitter until the second to last lap but then had to let go.
"I am overjoyed" said the winner at the Finish. "This is my first victory in an Elite event. My expectations weren’t that high after placing 9th in Buchs last week". Indeed, Schneitter literally took off in the last lap, leaving Dahle behind.
"My odds were long against Nathalie, who rode an exceptional race" says the Olympic champion. "Nevertheless, I am delighted with my return results and I had a lot of fun".
Results Women
- Nathalie Schneitter (Svizzera) – Colnago Arreghini Filago 01.55,30
- Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Norvegia) – Multivan Merida Biking Team 01.56.42
- Elisabeth Osl (Austria) – Ghost Racing Team 01.59.13
- Annabella Stropparo (Italia) – Ideal Bikes Romania 02.00.42
- Eva Lechner (Italia) – Colnago Arreghini Filago 02.02.25
- Blaza Klemencic (Slovenia) – Giant Italia Team 02.03.09
- Nina Homovec (Slovenia) – Slovenia National Team 02.04.05
- Tanja Zakeli (Slovenia) – Slovenia National Team
- Elena Gaddoni (Italia) – Progress FRM 02.05,19
- Maria Osl (Austria) – Sunshine Racers Nals 02.09,07
Men
Ivan Alvarez Gutierrez, 26, from Spain took gold ahead of Marco Aurelio Fontana from Italy and Leonardo Hector Paez from Colombia.
Ivan Alvarez Gutierrez was in a class of his own in the men’s event. Gutierrez, 26 and originally from Talavera, 150 km south of Madrid, captured his first international victory in Nals having placed third at the Open de Espania in Madrid last week. He completed the 48 km circuit (in 8 laps) in 2 hours and 55 seconds outpacing Marco Aurelia Fontana from Italy by almost 2 minutes.
"I tried to boost my speed in the third round" says the Giant-Italia rider. "I left the field behind after realizing that nobody was reacting to my attacks. I am overjoyed for outpacing several famous World Cup riders for the first time in my career". The Spaniard is a climbing specialist, which is why the course in Nals suits him. "I’ve been training very rigorously to overcome an injury in 2007, which is why I fought so hard to get back to the top".
Marco Aurelio Fontana, 23, from Cesano Maderno near Milan, is pleased with his result. "I had to prove that I am in top form" says Fontana, who placed sixth in the Cross-country World Championship. "There were representatives of the Italian Team, including former World Champion Hubert Pallhuber and I want them to know that I am a real contender for the Olympic games in Beijing".
Bronze Hector Leonardo Perez is in fact a marathon specialist. He will most probably represent Columbia in the Olympic Games and, based on his statements, will therefore be expected to compete in Cross-country events.
Results Men Elite
- Ivan Alvarez Gutierrez (Spagna) – Giant Italia Team 02.00,55
- Marco Aurelio Fontana (Italia) – Hard Rock FRW 02.02,57
- Hector Leonardo Paez (Colombia) – Gewiss Bianchi 02.03,14
- Emil Lindgren (Svezia) – Full Dynamix 02.04.02
- Mirko Pirazzoli (Italia) – Progress FRM 02.05,46
- Tony Longo (Italia) – Full Dynamix RSM 02.05.53
- Giuseppe Lamastra (Italia) – Hard Rock FRW 02.06,08
- Yader Zoli (Italia) – Giant Italia Team 02.06.13
- Alexey Medvedev (Russia) – NSR Torrevilla MTB Team ASD 02.06,42
- Johann Pallhuber (Italia) – Team Silmax AMD Kona 02.06,56
Circuit
The cross-country circuit in Nals is six km long. Elite women are required to run six laps (36 km + 2 km Start Loop), Men eight laps (48 km). Total difference in elevation is 1,554 m.
Over the years the C1 course has proven of value to the "South Tyrol Cup" and in the "Marlene Sunshine Race". International top-athletes and participants of previous years' races underscore this point. Former World Champion and current head of the Italian racing team Hubert Pallhuber, Olympia winner Miguel Martinez (FRA) and Italian National Champions Marco Bui and Martino Fruet as well as Olympia winner Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå are all thrilled by the challenging passages: "The course offers hart ascents and rapid downhills".
Course Description
The Start of the international E1-race is located at the Fire Department directly adjacent to the center of town. Women racers will begin the race with a Start Loop (*) before taking on the actual course. The circuit takes riders from the Fire Department in direction of the town center (approx. 250 m) to the entry of the "Nachtigallenweg".
The "Nachitgallenweg" is a 1 m-wide hiking trail weaving through the deciduous forest towards Sirmian. This passage requires full concentration as riders will be in very close proximity, particularly in the first round. Overtaking is almost impossible in the narrow switchbacks. Despite this, the audience will probably bear witness to several risky overtaking maneuvers.
"Platten" is the name of the trail's lookout point and can be reached by the "Nachtigallenweg". The first 100 m of altitude difference is followed by another ascent right through local vineyards. The impressive views of the "Payersberg" castle and the Mendel pass will be offered to both riders and spectators alike. A short breather during a flat passage is followed by another ascent leading to the crossing of the street towards Sirmian before riders are again on a flat passage taking them directly into the "Kastanienwald".
The "Kastanienwald" is probably the most challenging part for elite athletes. Rapid descents over rock single trails require the highest level of technical expertise. Following the "Kastanienwald" and at the end of a demanding steep track is the "Schwanburg" castle. The course then follows the street towards Sirmian through vineyards along a 500 m uphill section towards Tisens to the "Schöntor", which is the highest point of the entire circuit. Beautiful vistas of the Texel mountains, Tschöggelberg and the Dolomites and the more closely located "Wehrburg" and "Katzenzungen" castles welcome riders. One last deep breadth before they take on the difficult "Downhill Steps".
The "Downhill Steps" is a steep, racy and spectacular downhill passage taking riders over six wooden steps. They require full concentration and a high level of technical ability. A few tight turns precede the downhill which then leads riders to the street towards Prissian.
The course meanders from the "Stachelburg" to "Schernag" taking bikers through beautiful orchards along the Nalles river all the way to the Athletic complex. The street along the swimming pool then takes riders back to the Start / Finish. However, before reaching the Finish riders have to descent the concrete steps located right next the Fire Department which can be challenging given dwindling concentration levels at this advanced stage of the race.
The Start Loop (*) runs almost exclusively through the center of town. It starts at the Start / Finish Area next to the Fire Department and reaches the entry of the "Nachtigallenweg". It then passes the local Club House before leading over large concrete steps at the Kindergarten back to the Fire Department. The starting loop is of critical strategic importance. It is almost impossible for riders to catch the leading pack if they don't keep up with the top flight and reach the "Nachtigallenweg" early during this initial phase of the race.
Technical Data
Length: Men's: 48 km (8 laps of 6 km). Women's: 36 km (6 laps + Start Loop)
600 m paved road
2 km unpaved road
1.5 km mountain trail
1 km single trail
900 m meadow track
Difference in altitude: 222 m / lap
Total difference in altitude: 1554 m
Appealing Program
The racing weekend in Nalles is spread over two days. Official training, ID checks and Youth relays are scheduled for Saturday, April 5. Official bibs are handed out to Elite Women and Men racers at 6:00 pm.
Sunday kicks off with Men's Amateurs at 8:30 am followed by Youth and Students. Women and U-23 Women start at 12:00 noon, followed by Youth and Amateurs. The Men's race is scheduled to start at 2:00 pm.
Award ceremonies are at 4:30 pm and the program will close with the lottery drawing at 5:00 pm.
Internazionali d'Italia 2008
- March 8: Brescia (Lombardia) - Città di Montichiari, Trofeo "Giuseppe Cigala"
- April 6: Nalles (Alto Adige) – Marlene Sunshine Race
- May 25: Lugagnano (Emilia Romagna) - Val d'Arda Bike
- June 14: Ponte di Legno (Lombardia) - Adamello Bike
The first mountain bike competitions were held in California (USA) in the early eighties. Since then the discipline has grown very fast, in all aspects. The first World Championships to be officially recognized by the UCI dates back to 1990. A World Cup was set up the following year.
Mountain bike events are split into two broad families: Cross-country, generally over a closed circuit of at least 6 km: depending on the category, this race can last from 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are narrow tracks, paths through forests, rocky paths and the riders even have to ford streams.
Winner for 2007
The winner of the 7th edition of the Marlene Sunshine Race was the Olympia Gold, World Champion and World Cup Overall Winner Gunn-Rita Dahle from Norway and Roel Paulissen from Belgium among women and men, respectively. The Canondale-Vredestein Team dominated the race placing gold, silver and bronze.