Current organizing company CM Outdoor Events entitled by the Italian Cycling Federation until 2020: “An important recognizement, and a key step towards more ambitious developments”

Internazionali d’Italia Series is now at the halfway stage, as it heads toward the third of its four seasonal races – the Aprutium Race of Sunday, June 10th in Pineto (Central Italy). Nevertheless, the vision of the top Italian MTB circuit goes beyond that, all over to the next Olympic year, 2020.

The Italian Cycling Federation confirmed CM Outdoor Events – the current managing company of Internazionali d’Italia Series, in charge since 2017 – at the helm of the circuit until the 2020 season.

A recognition for the results achieved in the last two years, when Internazionali d’Italia Series has established among the major European MTB circuit, involving big names’ participation as well as leading companies of the cycling business, and managing to give the circuit a well-structured and recognized identity.

The progression of the circuit from a media point of view has also been remarkable. The circuit’s identity has been strengthened at the international level, thanks to an increased communication flow through all the channels. For the first time in 2018, Internazionali d’Italia Series has provied a live online streaming of the race on the circuit’s official channels, resulting in an unprecedented visibility for the Italian Mountain Bike – except for World Championships and World Cup stages.

“We are proud that the Italian Cycling Federation positively assessed our management over this two-year span – CM Outdoor Events’ Michele Mondini and Luca Carton said – and renewed its trust for another three-year mandate. This allows us to project the future development in a more structured and ambitious way. We have achieved important goals in these years – the live streaming of the races was certainly a big one – and there are still many opportunities to be further developed. In view of the 2019, we already got confirmation of a new event that will be part of next season’s calendar, that will be announced at the end of 2018 edition: this is another important signal that makes us more confident for the future”.

The legacy of the French superstar, who ended his career a few days ago, took off at the Italian circuit. The legend began in Brescia

The news of Julien Absalon’s retirement, one of the greatest riders in Mountain Bike history, came as a shock in the cycling world. 2 Olympic gold medals (Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008), 5 World and European titles, 7 overall World Cup triumphs with 33 stage wins: these are the highlights of the Frenchman’s incredible career, whose first steps at the elite level were taken in Italy, after three World titles in the youth categories.

In fact, in the 2003 season, a young Absalon with the Bianchi Motorex jersey won Internazionali d’Italia’s opening round in Brescia, repeating the following month in Monticello Brianza, after placing second in Ortona. The advantage summed in the opening rounds allowed Absalon to win the overall while standing with third in the closing round in Bologna.

The overall win at Internazionali d’Italia launched Absalon to the top of the Mountain Bike movement worldwide. Three weeks later, the athlete born in Raon-aux-Bois won his first World Cup round in the Elite category in Mont-Sainte-Anne (Canada). From that moment on, Absalon’s career reached the peak: in 2004, le Roi conquered the first gold Olympic medal at Athens 2004 winning ahead of Hermida (Spain) and Brentjens (Netherland), followed by the first Elite World title in Les Gets (France), preceding compatriot Cedric Ravanel and Swiss Thomas Frischknecht.

Two years later, in the 2006 season, Absalon was back and won the Internazionali d’Italia overall standings for the second time with the Bianchi jersey: a perfect springboard for an unforgettable season, characterized by the triumphs at World Championships, European Championships, French Championships and in the World Cup overall standings thanks to the wins in Madrid (Spain), Spa (Belgium) and Fort William (Great Britain).

15 years after his first success in the most important Cross Country circuit in Italy, Absalon was expected to join the Internazionali d’Italia Series’ fourth and last stage, Alpago Bike Funtastic, in Chies d’Alpago (Belluno, Northern Italy) on Saturday, June 30th. “It’s just too bad that Absalon will not feature in our final showdown – said CM Outdoor Event’s Michele Mondini – but we respect his decision. Absalon’s retirement is a big loss for the Mountain Bike movement: I think that Julien has been a model for a generation of athletes and MTB enthusiasts. We wish him all the best for his new career as Team Manager, and hope to see him again soon at Internazionali d’Italia Series”.

Italian National Team Coach Mirko Celestino takes stock of the situation after Internazionali d’Italia Series’ first two stages. “The youngsters showed a great condition. I expect more from Marco Aurelio Fontana in Pineto and Chies d’Alpago”

While Internazionali d’Italia Series endures a break before the last two stages, Aprutium Race in Pineto (Teramo, Central Italy) on June 10th, and Alpago Bike Funtastic, to be held on June 30th in Chies d’Alpago (Belluno, Northern Italy), an early wrap up could be done at the halfway stage, after the HC Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race in Nals (Bozen, Northern Italy) and Titano XCO (San Marino), that gave Estonian Martin Loo and the defending Serena Calvetti the overall leadership in the categories Open Men and Open Women.

Among the standout performers, Italian Gioele Bertolini was fifth in Nalles and runner-up in San Marino, earning the second overall place, tied in the score with leader Martin Loo. Bertolini’s display impressed the Italy’s MTB National Team Coach Mirko Celestino: “Gioele is completing his development as a high-level rider. Bertolini’s result in Nals was significant, particularly against so strong opposition. I envision him fighting for the overall win until the end.”

Another Focus Selle Italia rider, Andrea Tiberi, will look for a win in Pineto and Chies d’Alpago after the solid performances in Nals and San Marino, whilst the likes of Luca Braidot, Marco Aurelio Fontana and Italian National Champion Gerhard Kerschbaumer performed under expectations in the early Internazionali d’Italia Series showings. “I think Tibi did well, he just missed something extra to win but he always dives into the competition – Celestino explained. – As usual, Gery started the season slowly and then broke the ice in Austria after the disappointing performances in Nals and San Marino. I think this victory might be a turning moment for his season. Luca and Marco need to find good feelings: I expect to see something different in Pineto and Chies d’Alpago.”

Moreover, women’s athletes also are showing up fine: behind the experienced Calvetti young athletes like Marika Tovo and Giorgia Marchet are standing out, while Chiara Teocchi will try to get back in the overall run at the Aprutium Race, after missing San Marino. “Serena is a model of consistency, a professional and methodical athlete, a reference for youngsters. Marika and Giorgia are quickly growing, and it’s not a surprise to see them performing at this level. These girls might have a big role in the future of the Italian team along with Chiara Teocchi and Martina Berta” the Team Coach said.

As far as emerging young athletes are concerned, Filippo Fontana stood out in Nals with a great win in the UCI Junior Series round 2, the World Cup for Junior Category, whilst the Junior Women’s GC is led by the Titano XCO winner, talented Giada Specia. “Filippo has been great: he managed to see off the strongest juniors in the World in Nals, whilst San Marino put Simone Avondetto in the spotlights. We carefully monitor these athletes, who will be part of the Italian team also in the next UCI Junior Series stage in Austria. They are certainly part of our future”, Celestino concluded.

The Italian National Champion and Internazionali d’Italia Series’ defender occupies the first overall place in the Open Women category after the first two stages in Nals and San Marino. “The win at Titano XCO relaunched my ambitions. Ny goal is to defend the lead in Pineto and Chies d’Alpago

One thing is for sure: Serena Calvetti doesn’t give up easily. If the Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race in Nals (Bozen, Northern Italy) seemed to have affected her chances to defend the Internazionali d’Italia Series title, the queen of the 2017 edition is now back in line to keep the crown after winning the first edition of Titano XCO, in San Marino, and with two more stages left to race. In fact, on Sunday June 10th, the athletes will face the Aprutium Race in Pineto (Teramo, Central Italy), followed by Internazionali d’Italia Series’ final showdown at Alpago Bike Funtastic, to be held on Saturday June 30th in Lamosano di Chies d’Alpago (Belluno, Northern Italy).

“The start was difficult this year – said the KTM-Protek-Dama rider – I wasn’t in great shape in Nals and the opponents were very strong. After the opening stage, I thought I had lost every chance to conquer the overall win, but the success at Titano XCO relaunched my ambitions. In addition to the good feelings, in San Marino I found back the win and the overall leadership. I’m happy, and I want to defend this jersey”.

Calvetti 43, Tovo 40, Marchet 39: it’s a wide open run for the Open Women crown at the halfway point. The defending champion moved back to the front, but the main opponents will try to disrupt the plans of the 28-year-old athlete born in Piedmont. “The gap is very small in the overall standings. Pineto and Chies d’Alpago promise a great show with the battle between Marika Tovo, Giorgia Marchet and myself – continued Serena Calvetti – also Chiara Teocchi should not be overlooked, even though she did not race in San Marino. Chiara is a strong athlete, and always has a shot for a comeback”.

“Compared to last year, the road to the overall success is proving tougher, but I was ready for that – Calvetti commented – In the 2017 edition, winning the first stage in Verona immediately gave me a lead to defend: this year, the gap is small but I will try to exploit every opportunity to extend my reign.”

The second overall win in a row at Internazionali d’Italia Series is the main seasonal goal of the Italian biker, along with the National Championships. With one month to the Aprutium Race in Pineto, Calvetti is focused on the grand finale of the most important Cross Country circuit in Italy. “Chies d’Alpago’s organizers made some adjustments to the route but we all know the circuit’s characteristics. Pineto represents a novelty, so adapting to the new course will prove crucial. I will travel to Aprutium some days in advance to discover the circuit in person. The organizers are doing a great job and a good show should be expected.”

“On Sunday May 6th, I will face an international race (C1) in Graz (Austria), followed by a training period in view of the upcoming UCI World Cup rounds and Internazionali d’Italia Series’ last two stages. The athletic condition is good, but I need to keep it going towards the next appointments”, concluded Calvetti.