World Cup course through vineyards and fruit orchards

The cross-country circuit in Nals / South Tyrol is six km long. Elite women are required to run six laps (36 km + 2 km Start Loop), Men eight laps (48 km). Total difference in elevation is 1,554 m. Over the years the C1 course has proven of value to the “South Tyrol Cup” and in the “Marlene Sunshine Race.” International top-athletes and participants of previous years’ races underscore this point. Former World Champion and current head of the Italian racing team Hubert Pallhuber, Olympia winner Miguel Martinez (FRA) and Italian National Champions Marc Bui and Martino Fruet as well as Olympia winner Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå are all thrilled by the challenging passages: “The course offers hart ascents and rapid downhills.”

The Start of the international E1-race is located at the Fire Department directly adjacent to the center of town. Women racers will begin the race with a Start loop (*) before taking on the actual course. The circuit takes riders from the Fire Department in direction of the town center (approx. 250 m) to the entry of the “Nachtigallenweg”.

The “Nachitgallenweg” is a 1 m-wide hiking trail weaving through the deciduous forest towards Sirmian. This passage requires full concentration as riders will be in very close proximity, particularly in the first round. Overtaking is almost impossible in the narrow switchbacks. Despite this, the audience will probably bear witness to several risky overtaking maneuvers.

“Platten” is the name of the trail’s lookout point and can be reached by the “Nachtigallenweg.” The first 100 m of altitude difference is followed by another ascent right through local vineyards. The impressive views of the “Payersberg” castle and the Mendel pass will be offered to both riders and spectators alike. A short breather during a flat passage is followed by another ascent leading to the crossing of the street towards Sirmian before riders are again on a flat passage taking them directly into the “Kastanienwald.”

The “Kastanienwald“ is probably the most challenging part for elite athletes. Rapid descents over rock single trails require the highest level of technical expertise. Following the “Kastanienwald” and at the end of a demanding steep track is the “Schwanburg” castle. The course then follows the street towards Sirmian through vineyards along a 500 m uphill section towards Tisens to the “Schöntor”, which is the highest point of the entire circuit. Beautiful vistas of the Texel mountains, Tschöggelberg and the Dolomites and the more closely located “Wehrburg” and “Katzenzungen” castles welcome riders. One last deep breadth before they take on the difficult “Downhill Steps".

The “Downhill Steps” is a steep, racy and spectacular downhill passage taking riders over six wooden steps. They require full concentration and a high level of technical ability. A few tight turns precede the downhill which then leads riders to the street towards Prissian.

The course meanders from the “Stachelburg” to “Schernag” taking bikers through beautiful orchards along the Nals river all the way to the Athletic complex. The street along the swimming pool then takes riders back to the Start / Finish. However, before reaching the Finish riders have to descent the concrete steps located right next the Fire Department which can be challenging given dwindling concentration levels at this advanced stage of the race.

(*) Start Loop:
The Start Loop runs almost exclusively through the center of town. It starts at the Start / Finish Area next to the Fire Department and reaches the entry of the “Nachtigallenweg”. It then passes the local Club House before leading over large concrete steps at the Kindergarten back to the Fire Department. The starting loop is of critical strategic importance. It is almost impossible for riders to catch the leading pack if they don’t keep up with the top flight and reach the “Nachtigallenweg” early during this initial phase of the race.