German cross country series set for 2009

The German cross country series, MTB-Bundesliga, will open its 2009 season on less than two months at Muensingen with Olympic gold medalists Sabine Spitz and Julien Absalon in attendance. Between April and August, six venues will host the internationally popular series.

This year, highlights include two UCI category HC races: Bike the Rock at Heubach and the GONSO Albstadt MTB Classic in Albstadt. Never before has any one country hosted two HC events in a given season.

The Sprint Cup, introduced in 2008, will be continued. The competition is similar to cross country skiing and will include five events for which overall points will be awarded.

New for 2009 will be an U23-specific classification, and at all but one venue (Goseck), those young riders will compete for UCI points.

MTB-Bundesliga International 2009
April. 5: Goseck (only U23)
April 17-18: Münsingen (1)
May 9-10: Saalhausen (2)
May 16-17: Heubach (HC)
June 13-14: Albstadt (HC)
June 27-28: Wetter/R. (1)
August 15-16: Bad Salzdetfurth (1)Â

For more information, visit www.rad-net.de.

Add photos from Armin M. Kuestenbrueck (free for editorial use)

1. Womens start into Bundesliga season 2008 in Muensingen

2. U23 final overall podium at Bad Salzdetfurth: The espoirs get own races in 2009!