The third edition of Capoliveri Legend XCO is quickly approaching. On April 8-9, Elba Island will welcome Nino Schurter’s comeback at Internazionali d’Italia Series. Capoliveri’s organizer Maurizio Melis: “It will be a preview of the UCI World Cup”
In a few weeks, the third edition of the Capoliveri Legend XCO, at the Elba Island, will welcome one of the greatest rider in international Cross Country, Nino Schurter, on the occasion of the Internazionali d’Italia Series stage 2, to be held on April 8-9.
Currently racing at the Absa Cape Epic together with his compatriot Andri Frischknecht, the 10-time Cross Country World Champion is in love with Tuscany. Nino’s brother, Mario Schurter, is a Mountain Bike instructor there, in Massa Marittima, and the Swiss legend loves to spend time in the Tuscan hills.
There are great expectations for this event at Elba Island. It’s easy to recall the exciting duel between Schurter and Henrique Avancini in the 2021 edition, still affected by Covid restrictions.
On the Elba Island, Schurter will take in his first XCO event of the season in Europe. Capoliveri will be also the first of three Hors Catégorie appointments in this year’s by Internazionali d’Italia Series calendar, and the first Italian stage of the UCI Junior Series, the World Cup for the Junior categories.
“Elba Island’s attractiveness towards bike tourists is increasing, and Capoliveri Legend XCO is a main highlight of our Easter weekend. We expect another high-level edition: Nino Schurter will be the cream of the crop in a top-class racing field, offering a preview of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup”, argued the head of the organization, Maurizio Melis.
The organizing committee confirmed a race route appreciated by the MTB superstar (4500 meters of length and 170 meters of overall altitude for each lap), designed with the advice of Italian trailbuilder Enrico Martello. Charted among the Mount Calamita mines, Capoliveri’s course features technical single tracks, rock passages, jumps, berms, parabolics and a challenging descent “Coda del Diavolo” including a rock garden.
To win in Capoliveri, riders need to master their strength and technical skills. In the first two editions, Capoliveri Legend XCO has crowned top riders in international Cross Country: Henrique Avancini and Kate Courtney in 2021, Luca Braidot and Jenny Rissveds last year.
“I’m proud that this event has become a significant appointment for top-notch Mountain Biking. I want to thank the Municipality of Capoliveri and the Elba Island Tourism Board for the support: we can’t wait for the show to begin”, concluded Melis.
