Is Moreno Moser destined for a great future?
It’s already time for top-level cycling to make his way back to Trentino. The Trofeo Melinda will go on stage tomorrow, Saturday June 2nd.
The Val di Sole and Val di Non will once again join forces to recreate Trofeo Melinda’s classic route, from Malè to Fondo: the 21st edition is expected to provide some spectacular racing. It’s a nervous and very selective race, progressively dwindling the pack and bringing the top riders to the fore.
The Ronzone ascent, to be climbed three times, will test the riders ahead of the final slopes at the finish line in Fondo, at the end of 198,7 km with no flat sections. The official start in Malè will be at 11:00 and the finish is scheduled at around 4:00.
Apart from the technical features, the race will present an interesting challenge between different generations. The younger generation are represented by Moreno Moser, nephew of Italian legend Francesco Moser and native of Trentino himself. He took his first professional cap here in 2011 and is highly-touted by his home fans for a big win at Melinda. Colombian Carlos Betancur, who recently took his first seasonal win in Belgium, will be another young rider to watch in the finale.
Some experienced contenders can’t be ruled out, starting with last year’s winner Davide Rebellin, Androni Giocattoli’s duo Alessandro Bertolini and Franco Pellizotti and Fortunato Baliani, who recently won the Tour of Japan.
Italian fans will also rely on Domenico Pozzovivo, who did well at the Giro after winning the Giro del Trentino in April; Luca Paolini, recently selected to represent Italy at London Olympic Games and in the set-up to the Tour de France, and home rider Leonardo Bertagnolli, a former winner back in 2008. Along with Betancur, experienced Pole Przemyslav Niemec will try to break the 9-year Italian winning streak after Swiss Laurent Dufaux’s success in 2002.
