Kessiakoff to lead international contingent at Sunshine Cup

World Cup cross country race winner Fredrik Kessiakoff is already signed up for the Sunshine Cup coming up in Cyprus. The Swede is among riders from nine nations on the start list with over a month to go until the series begins.

For the Swedish national team, the trip to race in Cyprus is not its first one. In 2007, Kessiakoff won Sunshine Cup Round #2. This year, he'll be beginning his preparation for the Olympic Games.

Led by Jaroslav Kulhavy and Tereza Hurikova, the Czech team will also head to Cyprus. Kulhavy won the Race under the Sun and took second in the Afxentia Stage Race in 2007. He went on to finish ninth in the World Cup at Champery, Switzerland - his best result ever.

Riders from Italy, Ireland, Belgium, Great Britain, Hungary, Germany and Poland will be on hand to battle for UCI C1 points. Top riders will benefit from Cyprus' recent joining (as of January 1) to the Euro zone, which means prize money will now be paid in Euros.

For more information on the Sunshine Cup for 2008, visit www.mtbcyprus.com.

Sunshine Cup 2008 Schedule
February 23: Tochni Village (XCP)
February 29: Mantra-Kionia-Mantra (XCP)
March 2: Mantra tou kampiou (XCO)
March 9: Limassol-Yermasogia (XCO)
March 16: Voroklini (XCP)