The first gold medal of the 76th edition of the championship ends up around France Cyclocross World Championships.
Source: FCI press release
Opening the world championship weekend on the Tabor tracks is the Team Relay, the team event that has been fully featured in the program of the world event for 3 years now. The first title therefore goes to the sextet from beyond the Alps, who did well to defend themselves from Great Britain's attempt to return thanks to the good action of Aubin Sparfel, who closed the game in the final sprint. Belgium completes the podium, replicating last year's result in Hoogerheide. Fifth place for Italy, which paid for some lackluster stages and the withdrawal of Sara Casasola, who remained in the pits due to health problems and was replaced by Federica Venturelli.
Starting off on the right foot, Italy remained in the podium area for the entire first part of the race: the first at the start was Philip Augustine, which closed its tour in third place behind France and Poland. Proof capitalized by Stefano Viezzi, who detaches the Polish athlete and goes on the run together with Groslambert; performance, that of the junior new winner of the World Cup, which keeps the Italians in the podium area and allows them to record the sixth best time, in line with the Elite in the race.
It is Viezzi who grants the substitution Valentina Crows which, after an apparently encouraging start, collapsed in the second part of the lap, causing Italy to slip to eighth position. With Elisa Ferri, Federica Venturelli e Joel Bertolini the Azzurri attempted a comeback and climbed several positions, stopping in fifth place. France and Great Britain are now in command, with the former coming out on top thanks to Sparfel's winning sprint.
“A bittersweet result” the comment of Coach Daniele Pontoni and end of tests. And he adds: “We did what we could, considering that we had to replace a few pieces before leaving. I certainly expected a little more, the twist was missing and the three favorite teams ended up on the podium. We finished immediately behind, replicating last year's result in Hoogerheide, and this cannot leave us disappointed. Of course, if a medal had arrived we would all have been happier but we are only at the beginning and we will have two more days to demonstrate what we are worth."
COMPLETE results
THE PROGRAM
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2
12pm – Team Relay
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3
11 am – Female junior test
12pm – Men's U35 test
14pm – Women's Elite Trial
SUNDAY 4 FEBRUARY
11am – Junior men's test
12pm – Women's U35 test
14pm – Men's elite test
