CRAFT PROUND SPONSOR OF MARCIALONGA CYCLING

Spring is knocking at the door of Fiemme and Fassa valleys, announcing that it is time to leave skis and jump on bicycles to train for the 5^th edition of the Marcialonga Craft road race, scheduled on May 29^th, 2011.

And as clearly understandable from the new name, the Swedish brand leader in the production of sport and technical clothing, has strongly wished to enforce its presence in the events organised by the Marcialonga organising committee.

This partnership is based on the common sport disciplines shared by the two companies such as cross-country skiing, cycling and running.

The leadership of Craft in the world on sportswear is demonstrated by the validity of its underwear refined over 30 years of studies and engineered to the highest standards. Since 1977 Craft has devoted itself to developing innovate clothing built to withstand extreme requirements in all conditions. Craft works closely with its many sponsored athletes and national teams, focusing on designing the highest performance gear: besides the Swedish National XC-ski team, in the world of pro cycling the Swedish brand is supporting the Team Leopard-Treck formed by riders such as Fabian Cancellara, Andy and Franck  Schleck, Daniele Bennati, O’Grady and many others.

The Marcialonga organising committee has accepted with enthusiasm the new agreement with Craft that will cover also the Marcialonga XC-Ski in January and the Marcialonga Running in September until 2014, starting from next cycling road race as incentive: in fact the gadget for the 2.000 athletes foreseen will be a technical head-band which structure of the fabrics and the stitching technique interact to efficiently transport moisture away from the skin and distribute it on the outside. An item to be put under the helmet that could  be surely appreciated by all competitors.

The two courses for next Marcialonga Cycling Craft event have been confirmed but both will start and finish in the main square of the village of Predazzo. The ‘short’ race (80 km total length, 1.894 meters total climb with maximum gradient 18,2%) will only cycle the Lavazé Pass, while the ‘long’ course (135,4 km total length, 3.279 meters total climb – max. height 2.038 meters on Valles Pass – with maximum gradient 19,2%) will go through the three alpine passes of Lavazè, San Pellegrino and Valles.

The GPM Craft at the Lavazè Pass (Mountain Grand Prix) will not only award the best man and lady   climber, but also the 100^th , 200^th and so on: this means that all riders could win a prize offered by Craft.

In this global sponsorship, the 60 key officials of the organising committee will wear Craft for next four years during the days of the cycling race; 12 of these volunteers are also taking part next June in the 24 Hours Relay in Feltre as Team Craft Marcialonga, obviously with Craft & Marcialonga as Official Suppliers of the team, which last year ranked at the 12^th position.

Entries to the Marcialonga Cycling Craft are open until May 28^th on www.marcialonga.it, where you can also take in consideration to register for the Punto3 Craft combined events, the best of a personal performance.