Fresh from a frustrating period and the Olympic disappointment, the Brazilian ace is focused on the Trentino World Cup (25-29 August), where one discipline 'teases' him more than the others. "How beautiful is the Short Track, if I go fast it is my race".
Source: press release
Starting the season on top of the world, at the top of the UCI results, and finding oneself only a few months later struggling with frustrations and missed goals is a difficult situation for any athlete to digest.
Coming off the disappointment of the Olympics and a World Cup that has been below par so far, Henrique Avancini is trying to put the bad times behind him, the result of a particular season that started off on the wrong foot and the impossibility of leaving Brazil due to the epidemic situation. The upcoming Mountain Bike World Championships, scheduled for August 25-29 in Val di Sole, represent an opportunity for revenge for the Brazilian ace who will be at the start of the Short Track on Thursday, August 26, and the Cross Country on Saturday, August 28.
"A World Cup is always a special occasion, racing for your national team and with the rainbow jersey at stake is a unique sensation" - said Avancini. - “In Tokyo it went very badly, the approach was excellent and nevertheless I did not collect anything. I have certainly made a mistake at the management level: the hope is to make up for the World Cup, my favorite appointment ".
avancini
The Olympic disappointment left a wound in the Brazilian's pride, sparking wider reflections. “I'm trying to reset and reorganize my career and my life” - he admitted. - “I think I have a lot to give, at least physically, but I have to find that competitive energy that makes the difference both in training and in competition. This year I missed it: the goal in Val di Sole is not a medal but first of all to find myself again because otherwise it is useless to compete. I have no intention of dragging myself onto the race fields even if mountain biking remains my greatest passion ”.
The hope of MTB enthusiasts is that it is precisely the atmosphere of Trentino that will help the 32-year-old Carioca with clear Italian roots find motivation and the best pedal stroke. And in fact, in Val di Sole, Avancini was able to pull off excellent performances, finishing second in Short Track and fourth in Cross Country in the 2019 World Cup. “This first edition of the Short Track World Championship is special for everyone. It is a beautiful discipline and I believe it will become increasingly important,” said Avancini. – “It is an interesting format that offers continuous surprises. You must not make any mistakes. When I am well and going fast, it is my race.”
“Cross Country in Val di Sole has become a classic. It is a spectacular course, one of the most complete in the world. The left side of the circuit is not very smooth between stones and rocks, it turns slowly, and then there is the right side, fast and streamlined. As the passages pass you understand where you are going well and where you are losing time and it is necessary to contain the gap. The atmosphere is special: Val di Sole is one of my favorite places, it always leaves me with great emotions and beautiful memories”, concluded the Cannondale Factory Racing Team athlete.
A busy schedule for the Short Track and Cross Country specialists. On the opening day, Wednesday 25 August, the Team Relay is scheduled (12.30:26), followed on Thursday 11.30 August by the Junior Cross Country races (women at 13.30:17.00 and men at 17.45:28) and the Short Track competitions (women at 23:9.00 and men at 23:10.45). Finally, Saturday 13.00 August will be the turn of the remaining Cross Country races (U15.45 women at XNUMX:XNUMX, UXNUMX men at XNUMX:XNUMX, Elite women at XNUMX:XNUMX and Elite men at XNUMX:XNUMX).
