Italian cyclocross returns to the top step of a world podium exactly one year later, once again in the junior category.
Source: federciclismo
Last year it was thanks to Stefano Viezzi, this year, in an epic race made even more difficult by the ice, it was Mattia's turn Augustine, already European champion, wear the rainbow jersey. Completing the triumph of the Italian team is Filippo's third place Grigolini, a first-year junior and author of a superlative performance, especially in the second part of the race.
Augustine he prevailed over the local favourite and certainly the most anticipated opponent of the eve, the Frenchman Bruyere Joumard, who during the fourth lap (of the six scheduled) had flown off alone, also due to a series of falls that made the race particularly complex from a technical point of view.
Mattia Augustine, in the fourth lap, had even slipped to fourth position, also caught by an extraordinary Grigolini. Once he changed bikes, the standard-bearer of Fas Airport Services Guerciotti decidedly forced the pace. Having left his pursuers behind, he recovered the ten seconds that separated him from the Frenchman who, supported by stadium-like cheering, was already cradling the illusion of success. When the Italian came alongside him, during the final lap, the transalpine no longer had the strength to counter the pace imposed by the European champion. At the finish line the gap was 12″. An exhausted Grigolini arrived 30″ behind, capable, in the second part of the final lap, of resisting the comeback of the Spaniard Noval Suarez.
ITALY THIRD IN THE FINAL MEDAL TABLE – It has been years since our movement closed a World Championship with three medals, which are worth the third place in the medal table behind Holland and Great Britain. To be precise since the World Championship in Monaco, exactly 28 years ago (February 2, 1997), when the current CT Pontoni won the elite world title, third place in the same category for Luca Bramati and second place for Stefano Toffoletti.
STATEMENTS – President Cordiano satisfied Dagnoni: “A truly explosive start to 2025. We won a gold, a silver and a bronze. With less bad luck, we could have also won a second gold, but the balance remains exceptional. SWe are on the medal podium, in third place together with France, behind Great Britain and the Netherlands: a result that confirms the growth of our movement and of which we can be proud.
It is particularly significant that the world title came from the Junior category, a sign that the work we have started with the young people is bearing concrete fruit. A round of applause goes to CT Daniele Pontoni and his staff. Beyond the medals, there were also performances of great value: Viezzi, in his first year among the Under 23s, finished with an excellent fourth place, while Giorgia Pellizotti, despite a fall at the start, reached ninth place in her debut among the Juniors. My compliments to all the Azzurri engaged in these days in France. They have honored the Azzurri Jersey in the best possible way andThey are all guys with a lot of room for improvement.
Italian cyclocross is healthy. The goal is to create the champions of tomorrow; the results show that we are on the right path. Last year we won the cyclocross, road and track World Championships in our category; this season we started on the same wavelength. We are building something important and the numbers confirm it”.
The CT echoes him Punctual: “The World Championships close with a smile. It was an intense three days, which gave us three medals and, above all, important signals for the future. After these races, we can look to the next few years with optimism. Today we enjoy the moment: the double medal in the Junior category rewards the work done this season. In addition, the medal obtained in the Team Relay confirms that we are among the best nations in this specialty.
Now we will focus on the summer season, working on the areas where we know we need to improve to close the gap with the other nations. The goal is to be ready for the next season. A heartfelt thanks also to all those who worked behind the scenes, from the technicians to the mechanics, to those who supported us every day. Their contribution was fundamental”.
WOMEN UNDER 23 – Zoe Backstedt confirmed her title as cyclocross world champion in the Under 23 women’s category, obtaining her second consecutive title after the one she won last year in Tabor. The young British rider, born in 2004 and registered with Canyon Sram, dominated the race from the early stages, showing off an impeccable performance. In addition to her individual success, Backstedt had already won the world title in the Team Relay race, held last Friday.
On the podium, behind her, were Luxembourg's Marie Schreiber and Dutch Leonie Bentveld, respectively second and third. For the other Italians in the race, Lucia Craved finished in 12th position, while Beatrice Fontana placed 19th.
