Cyprus Sunshine Cup 2009 underway

Three more bike races under the title “Afxentia” have taken place between February 27 – March 1, at Macheras mountains, in the framework of the international mountain biking games ''Cyprus Sunshine Cup 2009''.

The Cyprus Sunshine Cup 2009 is organised by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and the Cyprus Cycling Federation and is supported by the Cyprus Sports Organisation and under the supervision of the International Cycling Federation.

According to an announcement, this year’s Cup began on February 23 with the participation of over 100 renowned international athletes.

The three bike races under the title “Afxentia” are organised each year in the memory of Grigoris Afxentiou, the pre-eminent hero of the EOKA struggle 1955-1959 to liberate Cyprus from British colonial rule.

House President Marios Garoyian, who gave the signal to start Sunday’s race, expressed his enthusiasm about the whole organisation and participation of so many international athletes “which is something that promotes Cyprus abroad both in sports and tourist field”.

According to the announcement, the winner of all three races in the men category was the Swedish Emil Lindgren.

Alexandra Engen, also from Sweden, took the victory over Tereza Hurikova, from Czech Republic, who was left behind due to a broken tire. Hurikova won the “Afxentia” races held on Friday and Saturday.

Greek cyclist Pericles Elias took the second place in the three “Afxentia” races.

The next race of the Cyprus Sunshine Cup 2009 will take place this Sunday, March 8 in Amathus.