March 18, 2003 – Another round of the Mtb International Contest of Italy at Ortona (Chieti) on March 22nd and great hype around the Motorex Bianchi team after Julien Absalon's win at the first round in Brescia last March 8th. The competition will start at 11 a.m. and edited highlights will be aired by channel RAI 3 in the afternoon.

The Frenchman Absalon, who targets the third consecutive win of this early season, will take part with team-mates from Motorex Bianchi team, as strong and competitive, also looking for a result: the Spaniard and Elite European champion, Jose' Antonio Hermida, winner of Gaerne Trophy last March 16th, the Frenchman Thomas Dietsch, second at Gaerne Trophy; the Swedish Fredrik Kessiakof, ranked 4th at Gaerne Trophy and 2nd in the first round of the Winter Championship in Sellero, won by Absalon.

Also on the start line will be Italians Fabiano Ferrari, Simone Lanteri and Adam Quadroni, as well as the sisters Nicoletta and Daniela Bresciani competing in the women's junior and elite categories respectively.