Diego Milan tames the Capoliveri mud. The Piedmontese of the ASD Rock Bike Team wins the second stage of the Internazionali d'Italia Series 2023, on Saturday 8 April. Behind him the French Sofian Corniglion, who had to give up only on the last lap, while the Swiss Nicolas Halter completed the podium.
Source: Internazionali d'Italia Series press release
A violent downpour hits the Island of Elba half an hour before the start, forcing the circuit management company, CM Outdoor Events, and the organizers of Capoliveri Legend XCO to postpone the start by 50 minutes. However, despite the rain that wets the circuit, the first test of the day remains open and uncertain until the last lap.
Gabriel Borre, leader of Internazionali among the Juniores after the victory in San Zeno di Montagna and big favorite on the eve, is ready to set the pace right away. During the second lap, however, bad luck struck the Valle d'Aosta of the KTM-Protek Elettrosystem, with a puncture that put him out of action.
Then Diego Milan and Sofian Corniglion took the lead, leaving no room for comebacks from behind and going by mutual agreement until the last lap, when the Piedmontese launched the decisive attack gaining those 10” decisive for success. Third place for Nicolas Halter (Ka Boom-Krapf) at 38”.
“It's an incredible emotion, I didn't expect it – commented Diego Milan after the finish line -. When I found myself leading with Corniglion I thought he could do it, so I tried various accelerations along the track until the last lap where I gained a few seconds, pushing right up to the finish. I'm happy with this goal and with wearing the leader's jersey, a little thought about the final victory of the Internazionali d'Italia Series now I'm starting to do it, we'll see in the next races”.
In fact, after the fourth place in San Zeno di Montagna, today's victory awards the jersey to Diego Milan (125 points) who overtakes Gabriel Borre (98) with Paccagnella and Corniglion third on equal merit (65 points).
JUNIOR WOMEN COMPETITION
There was no story instead among the Juniors where Carla Hahn (Lexware MTB Team) was in command from start to finish. The German took a few meters ahead already in the first lap and never let go of the first position. Behind her, the Swiss Lara Liehner (+13”) finished second and tried to comeback in the final stages. Elisa Lanfranchi (KTM – Protek Elettrosystem) finished in third place on the podium at +1'27”, the new category leader.
“What a show Capoliveri, a crazy circuit with a view of the sea that I fell in love with – comments an enthusiastic Carla Hahn in the finale -. I got off to a strong start right away and after the first lap I was in front. There they went at my pace and I kept the gap to the finish."
MEN'S JUNIOR RANKING
| 1 | MILAN DIEGO | ASD ROCK BIKE TEAM | 01:13:46 |
| 2 | CORNIGLION SOFIAN | TEAM BAGNOL JO. WE OMEGA | +10 |
| 3 | HALTER NICOLAS | KA BOOM – KRAPF | +38 |
| 4 | BOSIO THOMAS | TREVIGLIESE CYCLING | +55 |
| 5 | PAHOR ZAN | SLOVENIA | + 1: 21 |
| 6 | SOMMER SVEN | KA BOOM – KRAPF | + 1: 32 |
| 7 | HEMON JULIEN | UCI CYCLING TEAM PERFORMANCE | + 1: 46 |
| 8 | MARTIN DORIAN | TEAM BAGNOL JO. WE OMEGA | + 2: 02 |
| 9 | HASSLER MAURO | THÖMUS AKROS – YOUNGSTARS | + 2: 09 |
| 10 | GABRIEL BORRE | KTM - PROTEK - ELECTROSYSTEM | + 2: 10 |
WOMEN'S JUNIOR RANKING
| 1 | HAHN CARLA | LEXWARE MTB TEAM TSV BENEDIKTBEUERN | 01:08:57 |
| 2 | LIEHNER LARA | SWISS CYCLING NATIONAL TEAM | +14 |
| 3 | LANFRANCHI ELISA | KTM - PROTEK - ELECTROSYSTEM | + 1: 28 |
| 4 | HUTTER ANINA | SWISS CYCLING NATIONAL TEAM | + 2: 08 |
| 5 | GASPERINI GAIA | RACE MOUNTAIN FOLCARELLI | + 2: 32 |
| 6 | RINALDON GIULIA | SCOTT - LIBARNA RACING TEAM ASD | + 3: 18 |
| 7 | MARTINOLI JADE | JU GREEN ASD GORLA MINOR | + 3: 22 |
| 8 | SOLÈR CLEAR | SWISS CYCLING NATIONAL TEAM | + 3: 28 |
| 9 | FURRER MURIEL | SWISS CYCLING NATIONAL TEAM | + 4: 12 |
| 10 | SQUARESE LAURA | ASD THE PHOENIX MTB | + 4: 30 |
