Italian fans are eagerly anticipating the opening stage of the most important Italian Cross Country series, which will be held on Saturday, March 18th. The field will be led by Braidot, Marotte, Andreassen, Mitterwallner and Berta in the Open races
The weather on Mount Baldo and Lake Garda has not disappointed. San Zeno di Montagna (Verona, Northern Italy) welcomed the early signs of spring, in addition to top-notch Mountain Biking. The sun is shining in the paddock of Pineta Sperane XCO with less than 24 hours to the Internazionali d’Italia Series’ opening stage, which features 1.135 athletes competing over two days.
On Day 1, Saturday, March 18th, the stars of international Cross Country will be in the spotlight, while the second day, on Sunday, March 19th, will be dedicated to the Master and youth categories.
On the slopes of Mount Baldo, athletes and fans alike are looking forward to the early-season showdown, with athletes eager to confront their opponents after the winter and pre-seasonal training camps. The technical difficulties designed by the organizers of CM Outdoor Events call for complete riders with climbing skills who can handle technical passages. The Pineta Sperane XCO’s circuit features 4,000 meters and 150 meters of elevation gain for each lap.
It is no coincidence that top names in international Cross Country will take part in the UCI C.1 event, from Internazionali d’Italia Series’ reigning champion Luca Braidot to Frenchman Maxime Marotte and Dane Simon Andreassen, from Austrian Mona Mitterwallner to Italian Martina Berta. Last year, Swiss Lars Forster won the men’s Open race while Italian Giada Specia was the fastest among Open Women. It’s all but sure that, tomorrow, San Zeno di Montagna will crown a top name of international mountain bike again.
OPEN MEN: BRAIDOT, MAROTTE AND ANDREASSEN IN THE FRONT ROW
Last year, Luca Braidot won the Internazionali d’Italia Series overall standings for the first time in his career, and in 2023, the Italian rider will try to defend his crown after a great 2022 season. Braidot, a two-time UCI World Cup stage winner in 2022 and bronze medalist at the latest World Championships, will be in the front row in the Men’s Open race (starting at 14.00 CET) together with his new teammate Nadir Colledani.
Led by Frenchman Maxime Marotte, Team Rockrider looks ready to feature big with Joshua Dubau and Mathis Azzaro as well, as does Team Cannondale’s Simon Andreassen, whose skills and talent aren’t always supported by consistency.
OPEN WOMEN: THREE-WAY BATTLE BETWEEN MITTERWALLNER, BERTA AND SPECIA
Austrian Mona Mitterwallner (Team Cannondale), Italian Martina Berta (Team Santa Cruz), and Internazionali d’Italia Series defending champion Giada Specia are the favorites of the Women’s Open competition (starting at 11.45). However, Dane Sofie Pedersen (Wilier-Pirelli) will try to shake up the plans of the big names, together with veteran Eva Lechner (Trinx Factory Team), Chiara Teocchi (KTM-Protek), Sara Cortinovis (Santa Cruz-FSA) and Greta Seiwald (Team Rockrider).
JUNIOR RACES: BORRE AND CORVI THE TOP FAVORITES
Gabriel Borre (KTM-Protek) and Valentina Corvi (Trinx Factory Team) will be the ones to watch in the men’s and women’s junior races respectively. Elian Paccagnella (Junior Team Südtirol) and Elisa Lanfranchi (KTM-Protek) are also expected to feature big in hotly contested races.
HIGHLIGHTS ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE
On Saturday, March 18th, the Pineta Sperane XCO highlights will be broadcast on the Internazionali d’Italia Series Facebook page and Youtube channel at 21:00 CET.
