Spitz, Osl to race Aphrodite Trophy

The central Pro Team of Olympic champion Sabine Spitz will take part in the premier edition of the Aphrodite Trophy in Cyprus on March 21. In the week before the race, Spitz will also lead a ride for mountain bike enthusiasts.

In previous years, the mountain bike competition of the Aphrodite Trophy was known as the Tochni-Kalavasos race. The course has changed slightly from the past years, so it is more suitable for recreational riders, but it remains a rough ride through an impressive landscape past the Kalavasos dam.

The central Pro Team boasts World Cup winner Elisabeth Osl, who will join Spitz in racing the Aprhodite Trophy. Osl may in fact be the team's best hope for the win as Olympic Champion Spitz will be in her first competition after two recent operations to address a groin problem.

Riders will get a taste of the culture of Cyprus, too, as they will have the chance to see how the famous Halloumi cheese is made.

"Besides the beautiful nature and the attractive mountain bike trails on Cyprus, I think we are offering an interesting week in Tochni," said the organizer of Aphrodite Trophy, Mike Hadjoannou.

One day prior to the mountain bike competition, a running competition will take some through the narrow roads of Tochni village and the surrounding area. The 6.2km course will start just a few meters from the Tochni  village old church.

For more information on the race, visit www.mtbcyprus.com.

Aphrodite Trophy 2010
March 20: Tochni Mountain Run
March 21: Tochni Mountain Bike Marathon

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews.  She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.