Morath and Skarnitzl win opening time trial at Afxentia stage race

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Adelheid Morath (Sabine Spitz Haibike) and Jan Skarnitzl (SRAM Rubena Trek) earned victories in the opening stage of the Afxentia stage race in Lefkara on Thursday. Morath won the 5.7-kilometer women's time trial ahead of Jolanda Neff (Giant Pro XC) and Annika Langvad (Specialized Racing). Jan Skarnitzl beat Florian Vogel (Scott Odlo) and Ondrej Cink (Multivan Merida) in the men's race.

Nearly everyone was saying the same thing after a lap around the course, with two major uphills. "First race of the year", "it hurt so much" and "it was hard" were heard all around.

Men

Skarnitzl scored the best time despite having to ride a rental bike because his own bike missed making it onto the plane on the way to Cyprus.

"I don't know what to say. I had good training camps, and the Cyprus Sunshine Cup is my first goal in the season. I want to show good form for my sponsors. But it was special not to ride on my own bike. Tomorrow with my own bike could be even better."

Florian Vogel (Scott-Odlo) missed the time of Skarnitzl by only four seconds. "The first race is always special, but I was looking forward to the start of the season here on Cyprus," said Vogel. "Here I can get the intensity I need to get into top shape."

Cink had hoped for another podium upon arriving at the finish. In 2012, he was second in the Afxential time trial. "I went full gas all the time, and I hope it paid off," Cink said. He finished six seconds behind Skarnitzl.

Last year's winner Fabian Giger (Giant Pro XC) and Julian Schelb (Multivan Merida) rounded out the top five.

Women

The victory of Adelheid Morath in the women's race was somewhat of a surprise to fans, but not to those who've been racing the 29-year-old in the past year.

"I felt good and was riding comfortably," said Morath. "After different training camps, I knew that I am in a good shape, but you never know if the body is really ready for racing. I hope so for the upcoming days."

U23 world champion Jolanda Neff is well known for being able to put in one really fast lap. "I felt very good. I would like to have more of this kind of racing," said the 21-year-old, who finished 11 seconds after Morath.

Annika Langvad, who claimed third place, was exhausted but happy after her lap. "Hey, it was cool. I am happy to be here on Cyprus again. I like the atmosphere, it's inspiring."

Fourth place went to Blaza Klemencic (Feenstra-Felt) while Sabine Spitz (Haibike) was fifth.

Day 2

On Friday, the racers will compete on a 52km point-to-point course that starts and finishes in Lefkara.

Full Results for stage 1 and general classification after stage 1