Esther Süss (CH) with the most victories
Niederdorf, 23rd June, 2008 – In two weeks the UCI MTB Marathon World Championships will be carried out on the course of Dolomiti Superbike. The first South Tyrol Dolomiti Superbike MTB-Marathon was held in 1995. In 2006, the event reached World Cup status. Because of the excellent organization Dolomiti Superbike was included in the calendar of World Cups and named best Marathon operator of the year. In 2006, the International bicycle racing federation UCI assigned Niederdorf with the organization of the UCI MTB Marathon World Championships 2008. Two years the race proceeded clockwise and one year counterclockwise. In 2004, the event was cancelled due to bad weather.
Esther Süss from Switzerland won the Women’s Cup twice.
Since 1995, seven Nations have won the Women’s and Men’s Cup. Italy won eleven times, Switzerland five times, Germany three and Austria two times. Finland, France and Colombia each made gold once.
The Women are led by Switzerland with five gold medals. Esther Süss won twice while Andrea Huser, Anita Steiner and Erika Beer each made first place once. Italy follows with three victories (2x Maria Canins, 1x Alexandra Hober), Germany with two (Susi Dahlmeier, Sandra Klose) and Finland (Pia Sundstedt) with one trophy.
In 2006, the Marathon distance was extended from 111 to 120 kilometers changing the difference in height from 3.000 to 3.822 meters. The World Championship distance for women however was shortened from 120 to 88,6 meters, even though the athletes still must master 3.040 meters in height
