Fresh from a brilliant fourth place in the UCI Junior Series XCO in Haiming, the athlete from Bolzano repeated last year's victory by finishing in 1:02:20, with an advantage of 13″ over the Piedmontese Gabriel Borrand (Ktm – Protek) and 33″ up Diego Milan, who remains leader of the overall Junior classification. Fourth place for Ettore Prà (Scott – Libarna Racing Team Asd), fifth for the Fabriano Alex Pelucchini (Superbie Bravi Platforms Team).
Source: press release
Exalted by the success of Capoliveri Legend XCO, Diego Milan made a strong start, moving into the very first positions right from the opening lap, together with Gabriel Borre and Simone Magnani. Behind them (8″), on the first passage under the banner, a prudent Elian Paccagnella passed, Alexander Mancin and Alex Pelucchini, leader of the Gran Prix Centro Italia Mtb Youth.
The advantage of the leading trio increased during the second lap, with Ettore Prà alternating Pelucchini among the immediate pursuers, separated by a dozen seconds. Around halfway through the race, Prà and Paccagnella managed to close the gap with the best, moving up to Milan and Borre.
Then in the fourth lap Paccagnella confirmed his qualities and his excellent form, launching a deadly attack on the climb after the rock garden and flying away towards victory, while behind him Borre remounted and preceded Milan.
“In the first part of the race I managed myself – says Paccagnella – also because my legs felt woody and I held back to avoid going too far. Then it went better and I was able to accelerate in the final part. I had a bad day in Capoliveri, it happens in sport. Haiming's result gave me great motivation and now I look forward to the next rounds with confidence".
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