The 9th and 10th International Copa Gian Carlos Di Martino Bicycle Cross competition will take place in Maracaibo, Zulia state of Venezuela on May 12-13 with cycling riders from the America.

The event will be held on Misael Vilchiz bicycle track in the Luis Aparicio de Maracaibo sports center, according to the local daily Ultimas Noticias on Friday..

The sport of bicycle cross will be presented for the first time in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and riders could qualify through world standings, which boost the importance of the Venezuela event for riders to vie for points.

Teams from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Aruba, Chile and Venezuela will participate in the men's elite category, points from which will be counted in the classification for the world and continental rankings.

Over 500 participants, including the Czech team who trains in South America, are expected for the event.

A total of 20 million bolivares (some 9,320 US dollars) prize money will be at stake for competitors aging from six to 44.

Source: Xinhua