Federico Brafa triumphs in the first stage of Internazionali d'Italia Series

Federico Brafa signs the first victory of the Junior category at the Internazionali d'Italia Series 2025, winning on the technical and treacherous Pineta Sperane track.

Source: press release

The young athlete of KTM Protek Elettrosystem achieved the success alone at the end of a selective race, conditioned by the heavy ground after the rains of the day before. Also on the podium were Ettore Fabbro (KTM Protek Elettrosystem), second and Elia Rial (Scott Racing Team), third.

It was a tough race, you had to be very careful because a small mistake could compromise the race,” explains Federico Brafa. “With Ettore we found ourselves in front right from the start with a good advantage. The course was very slippery, there wasn’t a point in particular that really made the difference. After a bend I found myself with a few meters of advantage and I decided to attack. It went well! – Federico Brafa

We knew we had to stay in front and I did it right away. At the first crossing of the finish line I saw that Fede (Brafa) was with me, so we pushed together. He then passed in front and managed to create a gap between us. We had tried the route with the national team at the beginning of the month, it was certainly useful but unfortunately some of the lines we had studied were not practicable in this situation with the mud. The training camp was in any case very useful – Ettore Fabbro

In the wet I usually struggle a lot, so I'm very satisfied with my result. The only point where I was able to gain was the long climb. Then I had to defend myself on the descent even if I felt I had a good leg compared to the others, I hoped to do something more. Considering the conditions, I can consider myself satisfied – Elijah Rial.

Starting under a timid sun, 113 athletes challenged each other on a 3,5 km course to be repeated three times, tackling a surface made treacherous by mud. From the first moments, the race saw Brafa and teammate Ettore Fabbro take the lead with a tight pace, creating a significant gap from the rest of the group already in the first lap. At the end of the initial lap, the KTM duo had accumulated over a minute of advantage over Pietro Cao (Trinx Factory Team), the main pursuer.

During the penultimate lap, Brafa launched the decisive attack, managing to detach Fabbro and passing the last lap with a 25-second advantage over his teammate. Behind him, Cao was chasing at over 1'40", followed by Elia Rial (Scott Racing Team) at about 2 minutes. In the final, Rial managed to pass the Trinx athlete, thus conquering third place, while Cao finished in fourth position.
The next event is scheduled for Saturday 22 March on the Argentario track, a new feature for the 2025 edition.

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At the end of the Junior race is Georgia Pelizotti (Trinx Factory Team) to cross the finish line first after three laps of the course, preceding Nicole Azzetti (Team Guerrini), second, and Sabrina Rizzi (Team Sogno Veneto), third.

"The season started in the best possible way, with several victories under its belt" - he has declared Georgia Pelizotti, daughter of art and athlete involved in both cyclocross and mountain biking. “Today the course was perfect for those who come from cross, even if the descents were more challenging: you had to let the bike flow and ride it decisively. I'm really satisfied with how it went, I had the confirmation that even in the wet and on the most technical descents I can ride well. My next race will be in Grosseto, after which I will take a short break to get back to training. My dad always supports me, even from a distance. For him the most important thing is that I have fun and ride safely."

Next appointment with Internazionali d'Italia, Saturday March 22nd at Argentario.

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