In La Thuile surprise Dascalu: to the Romanian and Teocchi the crowns of Internazionali d'Italia.
Source: press release
Unexpected final at Internazionali d'Italia Series: stage success and final victory for the Romanian former U23 World Champion. Chiara Teocchi celebrates on Evie Richards' day. Junior successes in Siffredi and Cortinovis.
The 2021 edition of the Internazionali d'Italia Series ended on Saturday 26 June in La Thuile just as it began last March in Andora: in the name of spectacle and the stars of world Cross Country.
The second edition of the Aosta Valley event, the fifth and last stage of the most prestigious Italian MTB circuit, offered high-intensity challenges, thanks to a track that was confirmed as one of the most technical and selective, and a surprise ending.
The forfeit of Maxime Marotte (Team Santa Cruz), due to an indisposition, and the mechanical accident that occurred to Simone Avondetto (Trek-Pirelli) launched Vlad Dascalu (Trek-Pirelli) towards the final success at Internazionali d'Italia Series among the Open Men. The Romanian, U23 World Champion in 2019, also won the stage success.
Among the Open Women, Chiara Teocchi from Bergamo, on the other hand, gave great satisfaction to herself and to the Trinity Racing Team, capturing her third absolute affirmation at the Internazionali d'Italia Series. Stage success for favorite Evie Richards (Team Factory Racing) ahead of Australian Rebecca McConnell (Primaflor-Mondraker).
Matteo Siffredi (Scott-Libarna) and Sara Cortinovis (Four ES Racing) took both the stage victory and the final classification among the Juniors. Avondetto e Giada Specia (KTM-Protek) have instead graduated U23 champions.
Teocchi
IN LA THUILE IT IS THE DAY OF DASCALU
It seemed to be an announced duel between Avondetto and Marotte, but once again the last act of Internazionali delivered a surprise ending. The 24-year-old Romanian Vlad Dascalu, one of the most shining talents in the world, overturned the hierarchy among the Open Men, winning in La Thuile at the end of a leading race from start to finish. The Romanian biker preceded the Russian Anton Sintsov (Struby Bixs) and a recovered Stephane Tempier (Trek Factory Racing) at the finish.
The podium of the Men's Open race. From left: Juri Zanotti, Anton Sintsov, the winner Vlad Dascalu, Stephane Tempier and Leandre Bouchard (Credits: Mario Pierguidi); 
The podium of the Women's Open race. From left: Rebecca McConnell, Evie Richards, Haley Batten and Marika Tovo (Credits: Mario Pierguidi)
“I am very happy,” Dascalu said after crossing the finish line. - “For me it is the first victory in Italy. I wanted to head off and I succeeded. A special thanks to Team Trek-Pirelli for making this possible ”.
Dascalu, Blevins, Tempier, Zanotti and Sintsov have acquired a significant advantage since the first corners, with the Austrian Vittone (KTM-Protek) at the head of the chasing group, never really in the game for the stage victory. Together with them at the opening there was also the leader of the classification Simone Avondetto (Trek-Pirelli), but the breaking of the chain forced him to restart from the last position, entrusting the residual chances of success to a comeback that immediately appeared impossible.
In the last lap, Dascalu tried his personal solo, reaching the finish line alone. For him, it was a great satisfaction and the awareness of having entered the top ranks of the world Cross Country. First of the Italians in La Thuile Juri Zanotti (KTM-Protek), fourth.
Teocchi - Dascalu
RICHARDS GRANTS THE BIS TO LA THUILE. TEOCCHI LAUNCHES THE TRIO AT 'INTERNAZIONALI'
After dominating in 2019, Evie Richards (Trek Factory Racing) has succeeded in the always difficult task of repeating herself, especially on a demanding track like that of La Thuile MTB Race. Behind the British, Australian Rebecca McConnell (Primaflor-Mondraker) and American Haley Batten (Trinity Racing) completed a world-class top-3.
Chiara Teocchi (Trinity Racing), seventh today, won the overall title of the Internazionali d'Italia Series 2021 among the Open Women. For the athlete from Bergamo, it is the third overall success in the most important Italian Cross Country circuit after those won in 2016 and 2017.
“It is a great satisfaction for me to win the Internazionali d'Italia Series once again” - explains Chiara Teocchi. - “After so many physical problems I returned to compete at the highest level and this also motivates me for the future”.
In La Thuile, Evie Richards finally broke the delay with decisive action during the second of five laps scheduled, leaving McConnell and, even more detached, the American Batten behind her.
After a good start, Teocchi lost some positions due to a fall without consequences on the rock garden. The Bergamo rider continued in control, leveraging the conspicuous margin of advantage accumulated in the general classification.
At the head of the race, Richards instead imposed an unsustainable pace, sending out a strong signal in an Olympic key. Nothing could Rebecca McConnell, more than 2 minutes behind the winner. Before the blue at the finish, Giada Specia (KTM Protek Dama), fourth ahead of teammate Marika Tovo.
Sara Cortinovis (Four ES Racing) won the Junior Women race by completing a fantastic five out of five at the Internazionali d'Italia Series. Behind her the Germans Sina Van Thiel (RSC Kempten) and Kaya Pfau (Kaya Pfau Team).
UCI JUNIOR SERIES: SIFFREDI, THE SATISFACTION IS DOUBLE
The Italian Champion Matteo Siffredi celebrates his double success in La Thuile (Credits: Mario Pierguidi); 
The dominatrix among women JR Sara Cortinovis (Credits: Mario Pierguidi);
La Thuile welcomed the young protagonists of the world Cross Country with a sunny morning and the cool temperatures typical of the Aosta Valley climate. Also present among the audience was the ski champion Federica Brignone, a great fan of Mountain Bike.
At 10.30, the La Thuile MTB Race program opened with the eagerly awaited appointment with the men's UCI Junior Series. The Italian Champion Matteo Siffredi (Scott-Libarna) defeated the competition with an attacking race tactic, conquering both the prestigious stage success and the final affirmation at the Internazionali d'Italia Series.
Behind the Ligurian, the German Paul Schehl (NN) and the New Zealander Ethan Rose (NZ MTB Academy) completed the podium. "I am very happy to have won at Internazionali, it is a dream come true", commented a very excited Siffredi.
COMPLETE results
