EFFORTS to position Cyprus as a training destination for professional cyclists received a boost this month when the island was given a firm thumbs-up by riders from top German pro-cycling team, Milram.
Team members Fabian Wegmann, Johannes Fröhlinger and Mathias Russ enjoyed a change to their regular pre-season venue to enjoy two weeks of optimal training conditions to prepare for the team’s forthcoming competitions. The group, which included three Tour de France riders, was later joined by team mates Christian Knees and Paul Voss, the latter arriving straight from his bronze medal victory in the German cyclo-cross championship in Magstadt.
The Milram camp was organised by the team’s travel co-sponsor, FBI, and the Cyprus Tourism Organisation with accommodation provided by agro tourism specialists, Cyprus Villages. The team were given a taste of some of the island’s most picturesque inland and coastal cycling routes close to their base at Cyprus Villages’ flagship hotel in Tochni.
“It’s the first time that such a big group of one of the pro teams has come to Cyprus,” confirms FBI organiser Udo Vollmer, who says the team was delighted with conditions during their stay. “It’s perfect. You have perfect roads, perfect topography with both flats and hills. This is just what they want – nice weather, perfect roads and sunshine.”
Cyprus has experienced growing demand from professional and amateur road cyclists and mountain bikers who are attracted by the island’s mild winter climate, quiet roads and professional cycling events such as the annual Sunshine Cup and Aphrodite Trophy races.
Next month’s Sunshine Cup series consists of three challenging mountain bike races in Voroklini, Macheras Forest and Amathunta, with the offer of a tempting €29,000 in prize money at stake. In March the Aphrodite Trophy features two races, the ‘Mountain Bike Marathon’ and ‘Mountain Run,’ over an exhilarating cross-country course starting from Tochni village.
- Sunshine Cup (February 21 to March 7) and Aphrodite Trophy (March 20-21), for information visit www.mtbcyprus.com Tour of Cyprus Cycling Challenge (March 25-28) for information visit www.tourofcyprus.com
Road racers are catered for with Cyprus’ newest cycling challenge, the ‘Tour of Cyprus 2010’ at the end of March, an event which will take riders on a 400km scenic tour of the island’s coastal and mountain terrain, villages and cities. Designed in a ‘Tour de France’ style format, the multi-stage endurance race offers two rider categories to suit both professionals and those who prefer to take things at a gentler pace.
As the official accommodation partner for the events, Cyprus Villages is offering special accommodation rates and packages in Tochni and the surrounding villages to all race participants. The company has also teamed up with Cyprus Cycling to offer an advanced training camp for Aphrodite Trophy participants to include a range of special activities, from mountain biking with professional riders, to locally-inspired gastronomic experiences.
Director of Cyprus Villages, Sofronios Potamitis, explains why the events are important for Cyprus. “It is our aim to promote more of what we can offer in terms of rural experiences and activity holidays because Cyprus is ideal for all kinds of outdoor sports. As a country we haven’t really developed that enough yet,” he says, outlining his aims to attract more cyclists to the island. “We’ve been very proactive in developing cycling and Cyprus Villages already offers a full range of high quality road and mountain bikes for our guests as well as a choice of tours through our partnerships with specialist cycling guides. We believe these facilities and our rural locations make us the number one choice for biking holidays.”
The recent decline in Cyprus’ tourism industry has prompted an urgent re-evaluation of tourist products and services, and indicated a need to diversify into smaller profitable niche markets. However, German tour operator Udo Vollmer believes that it isn’t all doom and gloom for the sector. “Cyprus is an island for activities, there are so many features and the only drawback I think has been the flights but it’s getting better and better. I think we have 5 or 6 airlines flying out from Germany now and I believe Cyprus is going to a higher level for this kind of tourism every year.”
