Winning the first edition of a new race is always high on the wish list of top athletes and, in the case of Lisa Norden and Sara Svensk that will probably be a little bit extra in the case of Challenge Vansbro. After all, they will be competing for the win in their home country, what makes it an even more special race for them. In the men's race there is also a home favourite: Jesper Svensson.
Lisa Norden is the woman to keep an eye on, as following her victory at Challenge Salou earlier this year, she will be at the start at Challenge Vansbro with a lot of confidence. Norden is an athlete who has been performing at the highest level for years – including winning silver at the 2012 Olympics - and the same goes for the always strong Sara Svensk. The two compatriots will battle at their best and put each other to the test for sure.
In addition, they will have to deal with another woman who is also one of the favourites: India Lee. The British athlete always performs well and will want to make things difficult for the Swedish women. There are also many other women at the start of Challenge Vansbro, including the Swedes, Anna Bergsten, Jenny Nilsson, Jenny Nae, Rebecka Forsstrom, Mikaela Holmberg and Caroline Larsson.
In the men's race, the most is expected from Jesper Svensson. Not only because he is a world-class athlete, but also because he has the home advantage, which almost certainly gives him extra wings. Nevertheless, the Belgian duo Emmanuel Lejeune and Victor Alexandre can certainly provide a surprise. In addition, Ognjen Stojanovic, among others, is also at the start; an athlete who more than once knows how to peak at the right moment and thus knows how to surpass himself.
Challenge Vansbro will take place on Sunday 3 July with the start gun going off at 9:00am local time. A live stream plus live timing updates will be available at www.challenge-family.live.
MALE PRO:
1 Jesper Svensson SWE
3 Victor Alexandre BEL
4 Ognjen Stojanovi SRB
6 Ludwig Fleetwood SWE
7 Karl-Johan Danlelsson SWE
11 Joakim Nordqvist SWE
12 Lars Westgard NOR
13 Erik Olsson SWE
14 Gustav Flodin SWE
15 Erik Momats SWE
16 Anders Unosson SWE
17 Adam Kolnas SWE
18 Bela Hack SWE
19 Jonathan Flod SWE
20 Johan Lidstrom SWE
21 Magnus Olsson SWE
22 Magnus Olander SWE
23 Tobias Olsson SWE
25 Jonas Orarback SWE
26 Joakim Frisk SWE
28 Albert Askengren SWE
29 Gabriel Sandor SWE
30 Adam Lennell SWE
31 Sebastian Norberg SWE
32 Benjamin Andresen DEN
33 Lars Sjostrom SWE
34 Hampus Mansson SWE
35 Emmanuel Lejeune BEL
36 Chris Mintern IRL
37 Kim Andersson SWE
38 Michael Johansson SWE
39 Bjorn Thelin SWE
FEMALE PRO:
101 Lisa Norden SWE
102 Sara Svensk SWE
103 Jenny Nilsson SWE
104 Jenny Nae SWE
111 Maria Finnved SWE
112 Natalle Rec SWE
113 Carolin Schaffert GER
114 Anna Siggelin SWE
115 Karin Kallin SWE
117 Rebecka Forsstrom SWE
118 Mikaela Holmberg SWE
119 Frida Cronqvist SWE
120 Hanna Kling SWE
121 Shiva Leisner NOR
122 India Lee GBR
123 Anna Bergsten SWE
124 Martine Hoaas NOR
125 Elsa Eriksson SWE
126 Angelica person SWE