Everything ready for the 1st XCE Italian Championship in Val Gardena

“I took part in almost all of the international Eliminator races,” says the Eppan native, who took sixth place at the World Championships in Saalfelden last year. “The first Italian championship in this new discipline represents a special challenge. I am fully motivated and want to win.” The circuit corresponds to Lechner's characteristics. Their strengths are primarily the start and the climbs, but also their sophisticated technique and the descents. “I haven’t seen the course yet, but I’m confident that I’ll like it.”

The circuit measures 370 meters and 20 meters in altitude and must be ridden twice. The surface of the route consists of paving stones and asphalt. The route leads uphill through the pedestrian zone and after a sharp left turn at the highest point, it goes downhill again over a narrow street to the start-finish area. The route is covered with various natural and artificial obstacles.

Anna Oberparleiter is one of the fiercest opponents of the internationally successful athlete. “The woman from Olanger can drive fast,” she says. “She already proved that at the World Cup on Sulzberg and she was also very strong at the World Championships. “Anna has invested a lot in this new discipline,” says Lechner, who adds that the Eliminator is a darn discipline because you can make mistakes very quickly and you shouldn’t underestimate anyone. In addition to Lechner and Oberparleiter, Lisa Rabensteiner and Judith Pollinger are also taking part in the 1.XC Eliminator Italian Championship.

South Tyroleans are also among the favorites among men

In the men's category, top athletes with World Cup experience such as Martino Fruet, Gerhard Kerschbaumer, Luca and Daniele Braidot and Tony Longo are fighting for the coveted Italian championship title. In addition, the South Tyroleans Fabian Rabensteiner, Beltain Schmid and Matteo Olivotto.

“Our mountain bike movement is currently going through a magical moment,” says Nino Lazzarotto, President of the South Tyrolean regional association. “With eight Italian cross-country championship titles in various categories, top placings in the World Cup and at the European Championships, our athletes have given the association a lot of shine. I am confident that they will do well at the weekend too."

Spectators can experience the top athletes up close and look forward to an exciting and spectacular competition, which will also be broadcast on a large screen. “We are very honored to be able to host the first XC Eliminator Italian Championship in Val Gardena,” says Lazzarotto, “That OK of the Sellaronda HERO under the leadership of Gerhard Vanzi has shown great enterprising spirit, efficiency and courage to once again put together two top-class events.”

On Sunday the eighth stage of the South Tyrol Cup

On Sunday, August 4th, 2013, a national cross-country race will be held on Monte Pana, above St. Christina, which will be considered the 8th Raiffeisen South Tyrol Cup. The youth categories start at 10 a.m., the elite categories start the race at 14 p.m.

One of the favorites is the Colombian Leonardo Paez, winner of the South Tyrol Sellaronda HERO 2013, who is currently completing a high-altitude training camp on the Sellajoch together with Tony Longo and Gerhard Kerschbaumer. The drivers of the TX Active Bianchi team are used to extreme situations. Last December they took part in the “Val Gardena Winter Games” in Val Gardena: a fascinating triathlon in the snow on the Piz Sella, in which they demonstrated their endurance, technical and fighting qualities.

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Everything ready for the 1st XCE Italian Championship in Val Gardena

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