Novagli Bike Team at the end of two days of competition in Montichiari (BS). After yesterday Open races that recorded the foreign triumph of Norwegian Gunn Rita Dahle Flesjaa and Frenchman Maxime Marotte, today the show continued with youth challenges.
The track drawn on Colle San Pancrazio smiles to Marco Gozzi of Bianchi Countervail and Giulia Challancin of Pila Bike Planet (Esordienti 1° anno), Giulio Viscardi from ASD Alpin Bike Edilbi Team and Marta Zanga from ASD Team Bramati (Esordienti 2° anno), Davide Zanoletti of Team Bike Rocks and Letizia Motalli of ASD Alpin Bike Edilbi Team (Allievi 1° anno), Zaccaria Toccoli from Team Lapierre Trentino Alè and Isaure Medde from Aix Vtt (Allievi 2° anno).
The highlight of today races has been reached with the only Italian stage of the UCI Junior Series, a real World Cup for this category, which saw the challenge between the best promising rider from around the world. Among women win for the French Helene Clauzel (Team Bulls) that, at the end of the 4-lap and an exciting head to head, prevailed in the sprint on the Swedish Ida Jansson (Sweden National Team). Third place went to Austrian Lisa Pasteiner (Austrian National Team), 50″ behind. «The race was hard, but I felt good and I am very happy to have won. I don’t run often in Italy, but here there is a really nice atmosphere. My next goal? European Championship» says the winner after crossing the finish line with her arms raised.
In the men race victory went to German Torben Drach (German National Team), who finished the 5 laps 44″ before French Thomas Bonnet (Veloroc BMC) and 47″ before other French Clement Champoussin (Look Beaumes De Venise). «What to say about the race? It was amazing. The victory came unexpected and fills me with joy. I gave everything and I liked a lot the track. Now I deserve a little rest, then I will focus on the continental championship» declares the king of Montichiari, receiving his parents embrace.
The fourth and final stage of the Italian International Series has also selected the winners of the general classification. The leader jerseys ended up on the shoulders of Martina Berta (Sixs Devinci Pro Team) and Antonio Folcarelli (Race Mountain Promo Cycling).
«Trofeo Delcar was not the race I wanted, but it can not always go as planned. I’m happy for the overall success. This shirt is for my brother, my mom, my trainer Enrico Martello and for all those who are always cheering me, even here in Montichiari» said the world champion, fourth today.
«I dedicate this success to my dad, who also coaches me. Winning such a prestigious circuit is a great satisfaction for me and my team. Today I gave everything and I am very happy, I will find the strength to celebrate» adds Folcarelli, that today ended his race 4th.
After the two days that gathered in Montichiari over 1.000 athletes representing 25 nations, the Italian XCO world is looking to the weekend of 11th and 12th June for the Italian Championships in Courmayeur (AO).

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It ends another rich weekend of races for the Italian International Series.
The Italian circuit has landed in South Tyrol, to be precise in Nals (BZ), where yesterday were crowned the Italian Cross Country Eliminator champions.
Junior Federico Piccolo (Pila Bike Planet) has crushed the competition, putting at his shoulders Mirko Tabacchi (Forestale Cicli Olympia Vittoria) and Martino Fruet (Team Lapierre Trentino Alè). In the women race Anna Oberparleiter (Team Lapierre Trentino Alè) has confirmed as the best ahead of promising juniores Martina Berta (Sixs Devinci Pro Team) and Greta Seiwald (Focus XC Italy Team).
Next to the tricolor challenge XCE Raiffeisen Sprint was held and presented the great show of World Champion Daniel Federspiel (Scott Gooix Osterreich).
Today was time for cross country with Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race that in the minor categories smiled to Giulia Challancin (Pila Bike Planet) and Marco Gozzi (Bianchi Countervail), Nicole Pesse (Cicli Lucchini) and Lars Sommer(BPR Race Team RMC Gossau), Letizia Motalli (ASD Alpin Bike Edilbi Team) and Edoardo Coari (UCLA1991 Pacan Bagutti ASD), Laura Stigger (Haibike Racing Team Haiming) and Zaccaria Toccoli (Team Lapierre Trentino Alè).
Among the juniores solo race of world champions Martina Berta (Sixs Devinci Pro Team), Internazionali d’Italia Series leader, and Edoardo Xillo(Associazione Scuola Nazionale MTB Oasi) which has relegated to second place Antonio Folcarelli (Race Mountain Promo Cycling) that could take comfort in wearing the jersey as circuit leader.
In the elite women race Norwegian champion Gunn-Rita Dahle (Multivan Merida Biking Team) dominated. Winning for the fifth time Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race she becomes the undisputed queen of the event. Second place went to the Austrian Elisabeth Osl (Ghost Factory Racing Team) and third for the Slovenian Tanja Žakelj (Unior Tools Team). At the foot of the podium Chiara Teocchi (Bianchi Countervail), which controls the overall standings.
«I’ve lived a good day on the bike, it is encouraging to go fast early in the season. Racing here is always fun, I felt good and I’m happy for the result» said the eight times World Championship and Olympic champion in Athens 2004, which left the opponents to over 5′.
In the men’s race Marco Aurelio Fontana (Cannondale Factory Racing), put out of the race by two punctures in the first kms, had to give the leader’s jersey to Stephane Tempiere (Bianchi Countervail), which ended with an advantage of 1’06” on Luca Braidot (Forestale Cicli Olympia Vittoria) and 1’15” on German Manuel Fumic (Cannondale Factory Racing).
«The course was really tough, with a long climb, but I managed to well performe. I checked Fumic and at the third lap I attacked. I was able to take a good gap. It’s the first time I win in Nals, I am very satisfied» said the Frenchman.
The games are still open for the general classifications, the appointment with the Italian International Series is for next weekend in Montichiari (BS).

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