Elia Rial (Scott Racing Team) won the second stage of the Internazionali d'Italia Series, crossing the finish line with a 54” lead over Filippo Cavezzan (Team Sogno Veneto) and 1'34” over Giacomo Santoni (ASD Gagabike).
Source: press release
My strategy was to stay in the leading group and try to attack in the last laps. I didn't feel in top form, but as soon as the opportunity presented itself I decided to give it a try. I managed to take advantage of it and made it to the end. I'm really happy with the result. Racing in the rain is not my strong point, but today I chose the right tire and I felt good on the course. Since last year I've been banking a lot on the Internazionali d'Italia Series. I hope to be able to make it to the end with the leader's jersey, it would be a huge satisfaction. – Elia Rial
The race took place on a technical track inside the former Air Force Base of Porto Santo Stefano, with over fifty athletes of the junior category at the start under a light rain. Gabriele Scagliola (Ciclistica Rostese) started off strong, attacking already in the launch lap, followed by Elia Rial (Scott Racing Team), Jacopo Putaggio (FOL MTB Racing Team) and Pietro Cao (Trinx Factory Team).
On the second lap, a puncture forced Scagliola to slow down, allowing Rial to take the lead and extend the gap on Cavezzan. On the penultimate lap, another puncture for Scagliola left the fight for the podium open: Giacomo Santoni and Pietro Cao fought until the final kilometers.
Rial crossed the finish line with his arms raised, completing the five laps in 56'50”. Filippo Cavezzan consolidated his second position, while Giacomo Santoni got the better of Pietro Cao in the battle for third place.
Thanks to this victory, Elia Rial now wears the Red Jersey as leader of the general classification, ahead of Filippo Cavezzan and Pietro Cao in the standings.
Internazionali d'Italia Series now continues with the third stage scheduled for Saturday 31 May in Nervesa della Battaglia (TV) where the best talents of the cross-country MTB will challenge each other on the suggestive path of Rive degli Angeli, a route that promises spectacle and great emotions.
JUNIOR ARGENTARIO RANKING
| 1 | RIALS Elijah | 56:51 |
| 2 | CAVEZZAN Filippo | 57:46 |
| 3 | SANTONI James | 58:26 |
| 4 | CAO Peter | 58:38 |
| 5 | COAST Paul | 58:52 |
| 6 | BRACCESI Matthew | 59:22 |
| 7 | SCAGLIOLA Gabriele | 59:40 |
| 8 | SOPRANOS Marco | 59:51 |
| 9 | FERREIRA Adriano | 1:00:14 |
| 10 | LION Joel | 1:00:31 |
