She set out with the aim of getting on the podium and she didn't disappoint herself: immensely Silvia Persian wins the silver medal in the women's event Gravel World Championship, underway on the roads and paths of the province of Treviso.
Source: press release
On the hills of Prosecco, in her first world championship in this discipline, the Italian prevailed in the very tight sprint for second place, leaving the Dutch behind Demi Vollering. The gold medal ends up around the Pole's neck Kasia Niewiadoma, among the favorites of the evening before, which she won with a gap at the finish line in Pieve di Soligo at the end of the 140 km race which was all in an attack.
THE RACE
Un spectacular and very fast route, as expected: the winner finished it with an average of around 30 kilometers per hour, truly remarkable considering also the presence of tough climbs both in terms of slopes and surface. The group, made up of 112 athletes, crumbled a few kilometers into the race, with a few athletes taking the lead after the first climbs. Italy and the Netherlands are the masters, with the Italians at the first step dedicated to leading the group, thanks to their numerical superiority.
The race heats up in the last 20 kilometers when Niewiadoma, between the climbs of Le Serre and Le Tenade, progressively distances its rivals, with only Silvia Persian and Demi Vollering to keep up his pace. At the finish line in Pieve di Soligo the Polish woman prevailed with a 33" advantage over her pursuers, becoming world champion. Also in the top ten Gaia Realini, which finishes in ninth position.
THE WORDS OF THE PROTAGONISTS
Silvia Persian: “This morning I started aiming for a medal and I managed to achieve my goal. Winning would certainly have been a dream, but it happened like this and I have to be happy because it is my first world championship experience in Gravel. I gave everything I had: the last 10 km, with the last climb that never ended, were really tough. Tonight I will celebrate with a nice party with my teammates and national team. I deserve it: it's been a very long season, I started with cyclocross in January and have now finished with Gravel. Now I'll take a break and I won't do cross country this winter."
Coach Daniele Pontoni: “First of all I want to thank all the girls, from first to last, for having run a commendable race, each carrying out their task and even something more. Silvia finalized all our work with this beautiful silver medal: we hoped for it, it is an important achievement that repays all the sacrifices and efforts made during the season. Halfway through the race we were a bit afraid of not making it with Silvia's puncture, but she returned almost immediately, demonstrating that Italy was a great protagonist and always in the race. I thank all the staff and my collaborators, starting with Mirko Celestino, who always manage to positively amaze me in this type of competition".
CT Mirko Celestino: “It was a truly exciting day, I thank Daniele for calling me to support him. FROM the first day I saw a group determined to do well and above all available: unity is strength and we have reached our goal. It was a real team victory."
THE MALE TEST – Tomorrow it's the men's turn, who will tackle the 169 kilometers without Daniel Oss: the Italian, winner of the silver medal last year, was forced to withdraw for health reasons. But Simone Velasco and Alessandro De Marchi will also be able to aspire to a good result, selected by coach Daniele Pontoni together with Mattia De Marchi, Luca Cribario and the Italian specialty champion Matteo Zurlo.
The race, which will start from Lake Le Bandie and arrive in Pieve di Soligo, presents notable differences compared to last year with eight reported climbs on the programme: in the first part the climbs of Collalto (3.8 kilometers at 3.9%), Afranta ( 3.7 kilometers at 4.3%), Nogarolo (700 meters at 12%) and Ca' del Poggio (1.2 kilometers at 12%). After the first pass from Pieve di Soligo the race will face the last 80 kilometers of the race with the San Vigilio wall (300 meters at 17%) which could be the decisive point before the last three ascents and a cobbled descent section that leads upon arrival.
ORDER OF ARRIVAL
1 Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland) 4:49:44
2 Silvia Persico (Italy) +32
3 Demi Vollering (Holland)
4 Yara Kastelijn (Netherlands) +1:29
5 Lorena Wiebes (Netherlands) +1:33
6 Lauren Stephens (United States) +4:02
7 Simone Boilard (Canada) +5:19
8 Niamh Fisher-Black (New Zealand) +5:23
9 Gaia Realini (Italy) +6:03
10 Tiffany Cromwell (Australia) +6:46
