#3 Italian Internationals: Gioele Bertolini wins in Nervesa della Battaglia

Gioele Bertolini shines through the mud. The athlete of the KTM – Protek – Elettrosystem team won the queen race of the third stage of the Internazionali d'Italia Series held today, Saturday 4 May in Nervesa della Battaglia (TV).

Source: press release

Bertolini – leader of the general classification of the circuit – gave a great demonstration of strength on the Podere Rive degli Angeli track, beating the competition of athletes of the calibre of Simone Avondetto (Wieler-Vittoria Factory Team XCO), Luca Braidot (Santa Cruz Rockshox Pro Team), Daniele Braidot and Filippo Fontana (CS Carabinieri Cicli Olympia) and the winner of the Esanatoglia stage Cameron Orr (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team Xco).

“I am very happy with this victory” – commented Bertolini immediately after the arrival – “first of all I want to thank the team who stood by me in some challenging moments. In this period I feel very good, then perhaps today's difficult conditions have benefited me, the important thing is to be able to maintain this form also for the next rounds, which after this victory I will face with greater confidence."

The Men's Open race - the highlight of the three-day Internazionali d'Italia in Nervesa della Battaglia - started at 14pm and was immediately made very challenging by the heavy surface that the athletes found themselves facing. It is no coincidence that riders accustomed to the muddy courses of cyclocross soon emerged: already after the first lap a pair was formed with Filippo Fontana (Cs Carabinieri Cicli Olympia) and Gioele Bertolini (Ktm – Protek – Elettrosystem). During the third lap Bertolini managed to break away from his breakaway companion and began his solitary ride towards victory. Behind him Fontana resisted the return of teammate Daniele Braidot, who preceded his brother Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto, the fresh Italian Short Track champion and one of the big favorites today too.

Filippo Fontana: “I was feeling pretty good, but Gioele is going really strong in this period and there was nothing that could be done. Perhaps the only one who could follow him was Daniele (Braidot, ed.) but unfortunately he had problems at the start. I'm comfortable with mud so it was a fun race, but it was certainly really hard and it will definitely stay in my legs."

Daniele Braidot “Today went well, I felt I had a good leg. I struggled a bit in the first part of the race because I started a little behind, then thanks to the good condition of this period I managed to finish really strong, which gives me confidence for the next events.”

With this victory Bertolini also increases his leadership in the general classification of the circuit, which he now leads with 10 points ahead of Filippo Fontana and 35 points over Daniele Braidot. However, everything will be decided in the last match in Chies d'Alpago on June 29th.

Among the U23s, Fabio Bassignana (KTM – Protek – Elettrosystem) won, ahead of Tommaso Ferri (Zhiraf Pagliaccia) and Martino Zavan (Team Sogno Veneto). The leader's jersey of the U23 classification remains on the shoulders of Matteo Siffredi (Scott Racing Team).
All results are available here.
Claudio Meneghetti, Councilor of the Municipality of Nervesa della Battaglia commented on this day as follows: “For us it was an honor to have such an important event in this paradise of Podere Riva degli Angeli. The athletes challenged themselves with the thousand difficulties associated with the route, they were excellent and demonstrated truly commendable strength and professionalism."

Great satisfaction also expressed by Daniel Venturin, Councilor for Tourism and Sport of the Municipality of Volpago del Montello: “We thank all the organizers, the Pavanello Racing Team with Carlo Antonello and the Internazionali d'Italia Series team because with this event they made sure that our territory is also known outside the Veneto, which will certainly bring other athletes and other tourists to Montello, a place which, as everyone has seen today, boasts truly enviable views."

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