The king puts his signature on the Internazionali d'Italia Series and it hasn't happened since March 2016 when he set up a two-man sprint with Marco Aurelio Fontana at the Montagnetta in Milan.
Source: Internazionali d'Italia Series press release
Nino Schurter (SCOTT-SRAM Team) conquered the Capoliveri Legend XCO on Saturday 8 April 2023, at the end of a spectacular race that saw him battle for a large part with Titouan Carod, before bending the resistance of the Frenchman who had overtaken him on the occasion of the his last Italian performance, at the 2022 World Cup finals in Val di Sole.
The men's Open event (departure at 14:00) was kissed by the sun after the morning's rain and mud. A climate that favored a show at the level of the World Cup, in the challenge between Nino Schurter, at his first European outing in Cross Country, and the French Champion Titouan Carod, the two most anticipated on the eve. The World Champion did not disappoint expectations, making the decisive breakaway in the penultimate lap and then enjoying the applause of the public in the last passage on the Capoliveri Bike Park circuit.
First phase of the study competition which, however, immediately issued its verdicts. The winner of San Zeno di Montagna, Luca Braidot, in fact pulled himself out of the contest, blocked by the flu that debilitated him in recent weeks, forcing him to retire mid-race.
On the third lap, the Team SCOTT-SRAM rider and the French champion of Team BMC decided to pick up the pace, going away in force. Behind them, an Italian trio made up of Nadir Colledani (Santa Cruz -FSA), Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Pirelli) and Daniele Braidot (CS Carabinieri Olympia Vittoria) tried to resist the forcing of the two phenomena.
The duo made up of Schurter and Carod gave a show in the following laps, until the penultimate lap of the Elba circuit, when the World Champion launched the decisive attack on Carod (+18” from the finish line). Behind them, Simone Avondetto conquered a prestigious third place (+1'03”), preceding the new leader of the Internazionali d'Italia Series general Nadir Colledani (+1'12”). Fifth place went to the Swiss Luca Schatti (+1'39”), sixth place at 2'01” for Daniele Braidot.
“I love Elba and racing here, I'm happy to have won. It was a good battle with Titouan, it was difficult to let go of him because he is an extremely technical rider, but I hope there are more challenges with him this season. I am happy to be back at the Internazionali d'Italia Series, and to have achieved success in a spectacular Capoliveri Legend XCO, in front of so many fans,” he said. Nino Schurter.
“I'm very happy with the result, I had an excellent race finishing behind two phenomenal like Nino Schurter and Titouan Carod. This result gives me a lot of morale for the continuation of the season”, commented Simone Avondetto regarding his third place.
Seventh place and best Under 23 at the finish line was Andreas Emanuele Vittone (KTM-Protek Elettrosystem) at 2'12”, ahead of Janis Baumann (Team BMC), Jan Vastl (Rouvy Specialized) and Paul Magnier (Trinity Racing). However, the circuit leader's jersey for the Under 23 category remained on the shoulders of the American Bjorn Riley (Trek Future Racing).
MALE ELITE ORDER OF ARRIVAL
| 1 | NINO SCHURTER | SCOTT-SRAM MTB RACING | 01:27:41 |
| 2 | CAROD TITOUAN | TEAM BMC | +18 |
| 3 | AVONDETTO SIMONE | WILIER-PIRELLI FACTORY TEAM XCO | + 1: 04 |
| 4 | COLLEDANI NADIR | SANTA CRUZ ROCKSHOX PRO TEAM | + 1: 13 |
| 5 | SCHÄTTI LUCA | BIKE TEAM SOLOTHURN | + 1: 40 |
| 6 | BRAIDOT DANIEL | CS CARABINIERI OLYMPIA VICTORY | + 2: 02 |
| 7 | VITTONE ANDREAS EMANUELE | KTM - PROTEK - ELECTROSYSTEM | + 2: 13 |
| 8 | BAUMANN JANIS | TEAM BMC | + 2: 22 |
| 9 | VASTLJAN | ROUVY SPECIALIZED | + 2: 28 |
| 10 | MAGNIER PAUL | TRINITY RACING | + 2: 37 |
