Silver medal for the Italian National Team at the MTB World Championships in Val di Sole: the Lombard Zanotti won it in the U23 category. Gold to the Chilean Vidaurre. Marika Tovo at the foot of the podium in the women's race.
Source: press release
Silver at the European Championships in Novi Sad and silver at the World Championships in Val di Sole: August 2021 will remain in Juri Zanotti's memories for a long time. The twenty-two year old from Lombardy put a prestigious silver medal around his neck in the world championship in Trentino, closing in second place the race reserved for men U23, held on the morning of Saturday 28 August.
The Chilean Martin Vidaurre turned out to be impregnable for everyone, putting himself in evidence from the start. Zanotti, on the other hand, had a difficult start, but starting from the second lap he began his own ascent, conquering and then securing his second position at 1'03 "behind the winner. For Italy it is the second medal in the home World Cup, after the bronze conquered by Sara Cortinovis in the Women's Junior test on Thursday.
“I dreamed of this medal, I had been chasing it for a long time and finally now it is real, moreover in front of our audience. It was one of my great goals of the season ”says Zanotti. “At the beginning of March I tested positive for COVID on the eve of the first race of the season, and I had to remain in solitary confinement for 21 days. From there I went through a very difficult period in terms of performance, but I managed to get back on top and present myself fresher in this season finale. I suffered, but now I think I have something more. "
“In the start of the race I didn't have great sensations and I lost some ground. I got into race pace after a lap and a half, and from there I started to feel strong. Martin did a great race, but I'm happy with my silver medal, I'm happy with my path and how I've grown. Next year the leap into the Elite category awaits me: I can't wait ”.
Bronze medal for the Swiss Joel Roth (+ 1'38 ”), European Champion in Novi Sad right in front of Zanotti. Fourth is the other Swiss Luca Schatti (+ 1'55 ”). Two more blues in the top 10 confirming the excellent health of the youth movement in Italy. Filippo Fontana finished in sixth place, right in front of an unlucky Simone Avondetto. The latter was in the group of treads in the first round, but a puncture cut him out of the fight for medals.
In the Women's U23 race, Marika Tovo finished at the foot of the podium, in fourth position. Austrian domination with the Tyrolean Mona Mitterwallner and Laura Stigger to occupy the first two positions. Third was the Danish Caroline Bohe.
For Mona Mitterwallner and Laura Stigger it will not be the only confrontation of the season on the roads of Trentino. Time to breathe and the two Tyroleans will also compete on the road, at the European Championships scheduled from 8 to 12 September in Trento, confirming their propensity for multidisciplinary.
Another blue entered the top-10 of the Women's U23 race, Giada Specia. Nicole Pesse from Valle d'Aosta was 28th.
