It's always there, ready to fight and, like today's World Championships in Crans Montana, to reach the podium. On the day dedicated to the relay, Juri Zanotti, Elian Paccagnella, Martina Berta, Elisa Ferri, Valentina Corvi, and Ettore Fabbro all took home a beautiful silver medal that, until the final lap, seemed made of even more precious metal.
Source: press release
After all, as European Champions, this group couldn't help but set out with the determination to try and take home the rainbow jersey as well. But on the final lap, young Ettore Fabbro of France faced elite Joshua Dubau. The two rode in the lead for a while, before the Frenchman pulled away, handing the gold to the French. Italy was then second, 34 seconds behind. Switzerland was third, 59 seconds behind.
There's no regret in the protagonists' words. Martina Berta: "We knew we could achieve a great result. We started with the goal of winning, and when you're that determined, you either win or you win a medal."
Juri Zanotti is of the same opinion: I'm happy with our race. For the first time, I felt the right amount of determination against strong, combative opponents. We'll try again next year. However, let's not underestimate the value of this medal, which fills us with pride. The relay is a specialty we enjoy; it makes us feel like a team and allows each of us to express ourselves to the fullest.
Coach Mirko Celestino is not the type to waste time in recriminations, especially after a performance like today's: We all believed in it until the very end. The boys played well, each one putting in their best performance. We knew that our juniors would be competing with an elite team in the final round. France, after all, was already one of the teams to beat going into the tournament, and at this World Cup they showed they're in top form with all their players.
We're taking this silver medal, which, in addition to confirming the quality of our movement, is an improvement over last year. It gives us morale for the coming days."
Federal President Cordiano Dagnoni, present in Switzerland, was also satisfied and did not fail to summarize these days that once again see Italian cycling in the spotlight, starting with Filippo Ganna's success at the Vuelta: Italy is there. Ganna is a solid performer in time trials, Giulio Pellizzari is a rising star—and I hope he also has a strong World Championship—and the MTB Relay Team shows us we have the quality and the numbers. The silver medal leaves a bitter taste in our mouths because we believed in it, but it also fills us with pride and rewards the work of everyone: coaches, athletes, and staff.
RANKING TEAM RELAY
| 1 | France | 01:05:14 |
| 2 | Italy | 00:34 |
| 3 | Switzerland | 01:33 |
| 4 | Canada | 01:34 |
| 5 | Czechia | 03:05 |
| 6 | United States | 03:36 |
| 7 | New Zealand | 03:48 |
| 8 | Germany | 04:02 |
| 9 | poland | 05:20 |
| 10 | Denmark | 06:47 |
| 11 | Spain | 06:56 |
| 12 | Brazil | 10:19 |
| 13 | Argentina | 12:55 |
| 14 | Great Britain | DNS |
