Riders wait anxiously the start of the race. Marco Aurelio Fontana (#7, Canondale Factory Racing, ITA), José Antonio Hermida Ramos (#8, Multivan Merida Biking Team; ESP), Manuel Fumic (#5; Canondale Factory Racing, GER), Barry Stander (#6; Specialized Racing; RSA), Nino Schurter (#3; Scott - Swisspower MTB – Racing; SWI), Florian Vogel (#21; Scott - Swisspower MTB – Racing; SWI) and Jaroslav Kulhavy (#3; Specialized Racing; CZE) are all positioned on the first line.