Oli Beckingsale leads (Image credit: Mike Hadjioannou)
British rider Oli Beckingsale (Giant Racing Team) was the winner of the Sunshine Cup 2 International MTB race in Cyprus. A field of 48 men and 19 women in the elite categories were present at the first MTB event in the island of Cyprus. The race conditions were very good, with sunshine and the temperature around 20 degrees. On the start line there were most of the best European riders and also riders form the USA looking to get in some racing before the North American season kicks off.
From the beginning the team mates in team Giant, Oli Beckingsale and Roel Paullisen led the race with Michael Weiss and Bart Brentjens chasing. Beckingsale was stronger and attacked Paullisen on the fast uphills to make a gap of some seconds which grew in the last lap. Behind also strong was the Dutch rider Bas Peters who finished 3rd. In the women Sabine Spitz left no chance for the others. She led the race form the beginning with Bernadine Boog chasing at a near distance. Third place was the Swiss Petra Henzi.
