The first round of the Internazionali d'Italia Series in the Junior Men category carries the colors of Liechtenstein.
Source: press release
Sunday 6 March, under a pale sun on the slopes of Monte Baldo, to impose themselves and wear the first signed leader's jersey GSG was Romano Puntener (Thömus Akros Youngstars), a young talent from the small Alpine principality, who had already made a name for himself in the second half of last season, winning the duel with the Italian Marcus Betheus (Scott RacingTeam).
It was Püntener himself who set the first extension of this edition of the Internazionali d'Italia Series, trying to put the race on its track right from the start. Behind his back Marcus Betheus he allowed about ten seconds, but in the second round he took advantage of the leader's slowdown to get back to Püntener, and form the tandem that would monopolize the lead until the final stages.
Behind them, Peter Mattius (Vigor Cycling Team) was the only one to keep a reasonable margin against the leading duo, approached during the fourth round by Nicolas Milesi (Trevigliese cycling).
In the decisive lap, Betteo tried to force in the technical sections, as had already happened in the previous laps, but then had to give up Püntener's final lunge, able to distance him in the final stages and conquer the first stage of the Internazionali d'Italia Series with seven seconds of margin on the Italian. Third place for Milesi (1.36), fourth Charles Cortesi (KTM-Protek-Elettrosystem, +1.50), fifth place for Mattio (1.53).
ORDER OF ARRIVAL
- Roman Puntener (Thömus Akros Young Stars)
- Marco Betteo (Scott Libarna)
- Nicolas Milesi (Trevigliese Cycling)
- Carlo Cortesi (KTM-Protek-Electrosystem)
- Pietro Mattio (Vigor Cycling Team)
JUNIORS W
It was Valentina Crows to win the first stage of Internazionali d'Italia Series in the Junior Women category. The young cyclist born in 2005 was the first to cross the finish line in the splendid scenery of San Zeno di Montagna (Verona), on a cool Sunday 6 March but warmed by the sun as the hours go by.
The cyclist who defends the colors of the Trinx Factory Team finished the four laps scheduled in 1h02'56 ″, setting an unsustainable pace for her opponents right from the start: after the first round, in fact, the advantage over the second classified Sophie Auer (Junior Team Südtirol ASV) was already settling at 22 ″. Corvi then continued to push on the pedals, significantly increasing the margin well beyond the minute and 30 "(1'34" when he crossed the finish line for the third time - 1'18 "the final gap).
Third place for another Italian, Lorraine Cadalbert (BRV Racing / VC Project + 3'10 ″), author of an excellent comeback in the final lap after sailing between fifth and sixth place for the entire duration of the race. Final fourth position for Beatrice Fontana (Team Rudy Project, + 3'44 ″), who preceded the teammate in the sprint Lucrezia Braida (+ 3'45 ″).
