Larnaka is ready to welcome elite women athletes to the region in February for the ‘Aphrodite Women Cycling Races’ and the 'Cyprus Women's Cup' football tournament. 

The rural villages of Larnaka will be hosting the international women’s cycling races of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for the first time in February, under the title of ‘Aphrodite Women Cycling Races’ with elite female cyclists from around the world taking part, as well as teams, including Human Powered Health (USA), Tashkent City UCI team, the National teams of Ukraine, Greece and Cyprus, and other teams. 

UCI is the world's governing body in the sport of bicycle racing and the three, one-day races being held in Larnaka region are part of its International Federation calendar in the 1.2 category. Cyprus hosts are Activate Cyprus. 

Named after the mythical Ancient Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty, Aphrodite, whose birthplace was said to be in Cyprus, the races will take place in Larnaka region’s mountainous villages that are also known for their own beauty and charm: Tochni, Skarinou, Kornos, Lefkara, Vavatsinia, Ora, Kato Drys, Vavla and Agioi Vavatsinias.  

The races start on February 4 with the Individual Time Trial race (13.4km distance / 710m total ascent), followed by the Women for Future road race on February 8 (72.4km distance / +1940m total ascent). The final race is a road race on February 11 (71.4km distance / +1580m total ascent).  

Further information can be found on the Activate Cyprus website. 

The ‘Cyprus Women’s Cup’ returns to Larnaka with three football matches in February (16th, 19th & 22nd), played by the national teams of Croatia, Finland, Hungary and Romania. The matches will be played exclusively at Larnaka football stadiums this year; at AEK Arena, Antonis Papadopoulos grounds and GSZ Stadium. 

This global invitational tournament for national teams in women's football has been held annually in Cyprus since 2008, but was postponed in 2021 and 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is one of the most prestigious women's football events, alongside the Women's World Cup and Women's Olympic Football. Winners in 2020 were Croatia. Teams also visit the island for pre-match training. 

For more information visit: www.cypruswomenscup.net.
 

Images (L-R): Activate Cyprus, Florian Choblet / AFP, Activate Cyprus