Top endurance mountain bike riders will be in action in Pietermaritzburg this weekend (28-29 June) at the 2014 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships The world championship is held in South Africa for the first time in its eleven years of existence. Current world champion, Christoph Sauser from Switzerland will be facing stiff opposition from four other former men’s World Champions – fellow Swiss cross-country ace Ralph Näf (2006), Belgium’s Roel Paulissen Roel Paulissen (2008 & 2009), Alban Lakata of Austria (2010) and Greece’s Periklis Ilias (2012) and about half a dozen other contenders. South Africa’s hopes rest on James Reid (Trek SA) and Kevin Evans (FedGroup ITEC) etc. Five-time defending women’s World Champion Gunn-Rita (Norway) won’t be taking part in the women’s race. However, strong contenders include former world champions Sabine Spitz (Germany), Switzerland’s Esther Süss (2010) and Denmark’s Annika Langvad. Stellenbosch-based Swiss star Ariane Kleinhans – married to South Africa’s Erik Kleinhans – will hope local course knowledge will help her to a good finish. Photo: Darren Goddard/Gameplan Media.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 13:31:40 +0000
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