Anton Sintsov (Ktm Alchemist Powered Brenta Brakes) surprises everyone in Chies d'Alpago (BL). The Russian athlete took advantage of the marking between the big favorites Daniele Braidot (CS Carabinieri Cicli Olympia), Nadir Colledani (Santa Cruz Rockshox Pro Team), Filippo Fontana (CS Carabinieri Cicli Olympia) and Gioele Bertolini (KTM-Protek-Elettrosystem), and won the fourth and final stage of the Internazionali d'Italia Series held today Saturday 29 June.
Joel Bertolini, third at the finish line, can still celebrate the victory of the General Classification of the most important Italian Cross Country circuit. "It was a tough race from the start” – commented Bertolini immediately after arrival – “the heat then made itself felt and Daniele started strong trying to make the difference. Me, Nadir and Filippo tried to stay on the wheels for a bit and then Nadir made an effort, I managed to follow him and at the end Anton came back and surprised me. It is a great emotion to win the Internazionali d'Italia Series jersey, this is an important circuit and it is undoubtedly a source of pride to have won, I am very happy and I dedicate it to the team and the sponsors who help us at every race. This weekend we really couldn't ask for more, we are a great team, very united and the results can be seen. I am very happy with this victory. "
These are the words of today's winner Anton Sintsov"I'm really surprised by this result, just like everyone in the group. It's been two years since I've done a UCI XCO race but I had a weekend free from commitments with the team and I wanted to try Cross Country again to see what has changed in these years. I missed it, then I've always liked the Internazionali d'Italia Series, so I took advantage of it. I started from the last row and managed to get back to the leaders right away. I seized the moment, then everything went perfectly. I took advantage of the points of the course that were best suited to me and I defended myself where I was slower than the others. The only card I had was to enter first on the last climb and play it all there. I expected Nadir to catch me, but I really gave it my all. The course here in Chies d'Alpago is beautiful, I'm pleasantly surprised, there are technical parts that suit me, short and explosive climbs that I like, a challenging and fast descent. I had a lot of fun. I have to thank the team for allowing me to be here".
The race
The Open Men's race – the highlight of the Internazionali d'Italia Series weekend in Chies d'Alpago – kicked off at 15pm. Great anticipation both for the stage victory and for the General Classification, the latter still very open with Gioele Bertolini and Filippo Fontana separated by just 00 points among the Elites. In the U10s, however, Matteo Siffredi, Tommaso Ferri and Fabio Bassignana were combined in just 23 points. On the second lap the first shock with the attack of Daniele Braidot (Cs Carabinieri Cicli Olympia), followed a short distance away by a small group made up of teammate Filippo Fontana, Nadir Colledani (Santa Cruz Rockshox Pro Team) and the general leader Gioele Bertolini (Ktm – Protek – Elettrosystem). At the beginning of the penultimate lap the second turning point, Colledani's push. Bertolini was very quick to follow him together with Anton Sintsov, who started from the last row and authored a prodigious comeback. Thanks to this forcing the three reached and overtook Daniele Braidot as well as Filippo Fontana. In the following kilometres, the gap between the two athletes of the CS Carabinieri Cicli Olympia team continued to rise and the three leaders went on to play for the victory. Sintsov was very good at anticipating his two opponents on the last ramp, an action that allowed him to arrive with his arms raised under the finish line in the center of Lamosano. Second at 11" Colledani, third at 3" Bertolini. Further behind were Braidot, fourth at 14'2”, and Fontana, fifth at 40'2”, who was unable to take the leader's jersey off Bertolini.
U23
Among the U23s, a difficult day for the leader Matteo Siffredi. The Scott Racing Team rider suffered from the start and finished in 14th position, while the victory went to Marco Betteo (Ktm-Protek-Elettrosystem), ahead of Fabio Bassignana (Ktm-Protek-Elettrosystem) and Alberto Capoia (Team Sogno Veneto). Thanks to this second place Bassignana also won the U23 General Ranking of the Internazionali d'Italia Series 2024, overtaking both Matteo Siffredi and Tommaso Ferri (BCL Factory Team) in one fell swoop.
Attention will shift tomorrow, Sunday 30 June, to the youth categories Allievi and Esordienti which will start from 8am and will officially close the fourth and final stage of the Internazionali d'Italia Series 30.
