WORLD CUP. CROSS STARS READY TO PUT ON A SHOW IN SARDINIA
CYCLOCROSS | 07/12/2024 | 10:00 Just a few more hours to wait and then the audience in Cabras will finally be able to enjoy up close the challenge between the stars of cyclocross, ready to deliver a great show along the Mediterranean Sea on the western coast of Sardinia. On Sunday, December 8th, the Is Arutas beach will host the third stage of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, the only event in Italy following those already held in Antwerp, Belgium, and Dublin, Ireland. After the technical tests scheduled for Saturday, the show will take place entirely on the day of the Immaculate Conception, with the Women Elite race starting at 1:40 PM, while the Men Elite race will begin at 3:10 PM. Fans will be able to enjoy it just a few meters from the track, using the big screen and various food trucks that the organizers from the Municipality of Cabras and Crazy Wheels company, with technical support from PP Sport Events, have set up inside the circuit. The loop measures 3181 meters overall and features 6 sandy sectors, including two dunes that will put the athletes' strength to the test, along with sections on grass, dirt, obstacles with boards, and a finish among palm trees. Pay attention to the weather conditions, with wind in particular that could prove decisive for the races' outcomes. The men's race can count on the top 8 riders in the general classification, who have all confirmed their presence in Sardinia. The battle will renew between Belgians Eli Iserbyt, reigning champion, and Michael Vanthourenhout, current classification leader, winners of the first two World Cup challenges, but watch out also for Laurens Sweeck, who has always been comfortable on sand, and the rejuvenated Toon Aerts, former European champion. One of the big surprises of this season's start has been the Spaniard Felipe Orts Lloret, who will try to be in the battle at Is Arutas, just like the Dutch Lars Van der Haar and Pim Ronhaar. Among the Italians, the greatest hopes are placed on Gioele Bertolini and Filippo Agostinacchio. Among the women, the current World Cup No. 1, Dutch rider Lucinda Brand, will also be present - an experienced athlete who can count on countless victories both on the road and off-road. Her goal is to secure the third overall World Cup classification, and to do so she will have to tame the dunes of Is Arutas, where she will face other athletes who have already won the Cup, such as the other Dutch rider Annemarie Worst and the veteran Belgian, Sanne Cant. In the mix will also be the Friulian, as well as Italian champion, Sara Casasola, who has started the season brilliantly, practically never leaving the top 4 positions. She lacks a victory, which she hopes to achieve right in front of the Italian audience. In Italy, the races will be broadcast on both Eurosport channels of Discovery+ and RaiPlay. STATEMENTS ELI ISERBYT: "I've taken a look at the course and I expect a fast and technical race. The sandy sections are not particularly long and for me, this is good, since I'm not exactly a sand specialist. There will be many relaunches and pace changes, but I expect the first 5-6 riders to remain quite close. Today I'll do a thorough reconnaissance to understand exactly what type of terrain we'll be facing. Personally, I've never been to Sardinia, but I believe it's good for the entire cyclocross world to explore new places. I hope the audience enjoys and becomes passionate about this sport".
LAURENS SWEECK: "This will be my first time ever in Sardinia and this motivates me quite a bit. I really like racing in places I don't know and I'm curious to see how the local audience's reception will be. I've taken a look at the course but, honestly, I don't know what race to expect. Sand and dunes perfectly suit my characteristics and my hope is that a fast race will emerge. Bad weather, however, could change everything, so let's see what comes out".
LUCINDA BRAND: "In recent days, I've had the opportunity to do a small training session with the Crazy Wheels kids, so I've already had the chance to immerse myself in the typical atmosphere of this beautiful area of Italy. I can't wait to test myself on this course, it seems really interesting. Of course, the weather forecast is not particularly positive, with rain and wind expected, the grass will become mud and the sand heavier, it will be a truly tough race. As always, however, it will be 50 minutes where there will be no room to catch a breath".
SARA CASASOLA: "I'm really happy to be able to race a World Cup event in Italy again this year, it's always special to race 'at home' and racing in front of a familiar audience always gives me a great boost. Weather permitting, it seems like a fairly fast race is in prospect, with the sandy sections making it more challenging from a technical and physical point of view. Normally, I defend myself well on fast courses, even though they're not my favorites. In any case, expectations are high for this race, my form is good at the moment, I'm returning from a period of hard work in training camp with the team and I hope to manage a podium placement. I raced in Sardinia two years ago, but it was the Giro d'Italia road race, though a few years ago I was on vacation in the Olbia area! It's truly a splendid region, especially from a landscape perspective, with paradisiacal seas and beaches"
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