Sunshine Cup 2009 - Cyprus

For the fourth year in a row Orange Monkey sent some riders to Cyprus to take part in the Sunshine Cup and for the third year running they chose the Afxentia stage race in the Macheras mountains, just outside Larnaca.

Unlike previous years the riders were greeted with poor weather, experiencing cloud, rain and even hail throughout the three day race. Paul, Chris and Ben flew to Larnaca accompanied by Will and Matt who provided exceptional support throughout the week as the guys looked to get some early season international racing in.

The race started on Friday with a Time Trial on the 7.4km cross-country course. Ben got off to a flyer taking 2nd amongst a strong Junior field dominated by Russian and Cypriot riders. Chris was off shortly afterwards finishing in a creditable 54th with world class riders such as Emil Lindren, Jaroslav Kulhavy and Christoph Soukup as well as riders from Team Bulls, Merida and ISD. Paul continued with his comeback following a knee injury finishing 62nd.

Day two saw the team taking on the point to point race which was a 41km race through the mountains with some steep singletrack climbs and a long tough descent. Rather than the hot sun that the team had experienced in previous years it was snow that greeted the three riders as they hit the top of the singletrack climb. For the second day running Ben picked up 2nd in the junior category while Chris had a storming ride in the senior race finishing 44th and Paul struggled to a reasonable 67th as he looks to build for the coming season.

The final day of the race, and at last some sunshine broke through the cloud, the ice cream van was out and it was time for the finale, the cross country race! Five laps of the gruelling 7.4km course was awaiting the riders starting with a long up hill followed by some gnarly descending, singletrack and more steep climbs. Ben once again showed his potential by taking 2nd in the race and 2nd overall. It was a remarkable result considering this was Ben’s first Junior Cross Country race after moving up from Youth last year.

Chris and Paul took to the start line amongst a strong field of 61 International riders and after two hard days this was the climax to a great weekend of racing. Both riders had a good start and settled into the race well with Chris flying through the field before a puncture set him back some time but he was soon on his way again after a quick wheel change from the Orange Monkey mechanics. Chris finished in a very creditable 44th place but would surely have been higher was it not for his mechanical. Paul stayed at a steady pace and had his best ride of the weekend finishing 49th.

And that was that, another great weekend in Cyprus, all three riders getting something from the weekend with Ben taking home our first medal from this renowned International race series.

The riders then had an easy day before some training rides in the mountains and then it was back to England as they get ready to hook up with the rest of the team in Fort William for a team training camp and then it’s on to the first round of the national series in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire. It’s an exciting time in the team at the moment with all riders progressing well and looking forward to a successful season!