Nals hopes for South Tyrolean success

When the Nalser “Sunshine Race”, which forms the 2nd stage of the “Internazionali d'Italia”, begins tomorrow, Saturday, Gerhard Kerschbaumer and Eva Lechner also want to play a good role. Lechner, who won all races from 2009 to 2013, is aiming for her 5th victory, Kerschbaumer is hoping for his first victory.

“It's been a few years since my last victory, but I don't want to put too much pressure on myself: first and foremost, I want to drive well in front of my home crowd and have fun. The result will come then,” said Lechner. A lot has changed in the time since her victories, “the level of competition is very high,” says the woman from Eppan. Media interest has also become ever greater. However, one thing has remained unchanged: “the natural route in Nalles with the climb over the Nachtigall Weg, which will once again prove to be decisive.”

Eva Lechner wants to attack. © Alice Russolo

The 1-year-old North Tyrolean Mona Mitterwallner is number 20 in the women's race. The young Austrian won two world titles in 2021; at Sulzberg in the U2 Cross Country competition and on the island of Elba at the Elite Marathon World Championships.

I've been looking for success in Nals for a long time, because for us South Tyroleans it's a home race. Gerhard Kerschbaumer

Kerschbaumer is also ready for the race. “I'm a bit tired after the hard training sessions over the last two weeks, but I feel much better than I did a year ago. “I’ve been looking for success in Nals for a long time because for us South Tyroleans it’s a home race,” said the 30-year-old from Verdings. But it won't be easy, "because the competition is very strong." The South African Alan Hatherly in particular is considered the favorite.

The heavy rain on Friday makes the route even more challenging. In addition to the steep and long climb over the Nachtigall-Weg, the rooty and rocky descents are particularly challenging. A slight improvement in the weather is expected for tomorrow, but rain is expected to continue until the early afternoon, albeit less heavily.

In addition to the elite races, there will also be races for young athletes on Saturday; these are part of the UCI Junior Series. This is a kind of World Cup for the junior categories. Sophie Auer from Puster also wants to play a good role here. The junior took second place in the first stage of the “Internazionali d'Italia” and most recently fifth place in the UCI Series.

The youth class races will take place on Sunday. The schedule Saturday April 2th 9.30:XNUMX a.m.: Juniors 11.30 a.m.: Elite women 11.32:XNUMX p.m.: Juniors 13.30:XNUMX p.m.: Elite men Sunday April 3th 9.30 a.m.: U17/U15 female 10.30 a.m.: U15 male 1 11.30 a.m.: U15 male 2 12.30 a.m.: U17 male 1 13.30 a.m.: U17 male 2

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Nals hopes for South Tyrolean success

Everything is set up in Nalles: The “Sunshine Race” is on the program for the weekend. Two South Tyroleans are also among the favorites.

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