The Italian U23 National Champion went on recon on the race route of Internazionali d’Italia Series’ opening stage, Pineta Sperane XCO, to be held in San Zeno di Montagna on Sunday, March 6th. “It’s more demanding than it seems”
Italy’s Giada Specia has ambitious goals for the 2022 MTB season, and she is going all-in for that. With her new Wilier-Pirelli Team, the Italian Under 23 National Champion is tackling this early season with drive: “I look to be very competitive at Internazionali d’Italia Series, and hopefully claim some podium spots at the World Cup level among Under 23”.
In view of stage 1 of the most important Italian XCO series, organized by CM Outdoor Events in San Zeno di Montagna (Verona, Northern Italy), the 21-year-old Italian rider went on recon on the new Pineta Sperane XCO’s racecourse, collecting valuable information to face in the best way the Open Women race of Sunday, March 6th (start at 12.30 CET).
“It’s a modern track, with no very long climbs and descents but with constant gradient variations”, said Giada Specia. – “The ring is fully natural, as I like it: there are no extreme sections, and I think it is good early in the season”.
“The route could look easy when you ride it at low speed, but that should not be underestimated. When you push at a higher speed, you see there is no real breather, and that has an impact on the long run. The ground is very soft and steering the bends will be more demanding lap after lap. I don’t think that downhills are going to make a big difference because the sections are short and can’t be ridden at high pace. Climbs will define the race in San Zeno di Montagna.”
Giada Specia showed a good condition early in the season, and in San Zeno di Montagna she will try to stand up among the best athletes of the Italian movement, starting from Eva Lechner and Martina Berta.“I chose to start strong this year”, admitted Specia. – “I have trained in Spain on the technical sessions since this skill is increasingly important at the international level. Internazionali d’Italia Series is a huge opportunity for us to test ourselves with a top-level racing field and courses that are technical, well-charted and suited as preparation for the World Cup commitments. It’s a great opportunity for us, as Italian riders, to compete with the best riders in the World: these events are very important for the growth of the Italian movement”.
Pineta Sperane XCO’s schedule starts on Sunday, March 6th at 10.30 CET with the Men’s Junior race, followed by the women’s competitions (Juniores and Open) at 12.30 CET, and the Open Men race at 14.30 CET.
