The former Under 23 World Champion claims both the Aosta Valley’s stage and the overall. Chiara Teocchi celebrates on Evie Richards’ day. Siffredi and Cortinovis celebrate in the Junior Series
The 2021 edition of Internazionali d’Italia Series ended on Saturday, June 26th in La Thuile, following the script of top-class riding that characterized the whole season from its start in Andora, back in March.
The second edition of La Thuile MTB Race, in Valle d’Aosta, the fifth and final stage of the most prestigious Italian MTB circuit, served exciting challenges, thanks to a track that was confirmed as one of the most technical and selective, together with a dramatic ending.
The forfait of Maxime Marotte (Team Santa Cruz), due to illness and a mechanical accident that crushed the hopes of Simone Avondetto (Trek-Pirelli) launched Vlad Dascalu (Trek-Pirelli) towards the final success at Internazionali d’Italia Series among the Open Men, as a result of the final stage win by the Romanian, U23 World Champion in 2019.
Among Open Women, Italy Chiara Teocchi took her third overall success at Internazionali d’Italia Series. Stage victory for favorite Evie Richards (Team Factory Racing) ahead of Australian Rebecca McConnell (Primaflor-Mondraker).
Matteo Siffredi (Scott-Libarna) and Sara Cortinovis (Four ES Racing) took both the stage win and the final classifications among Juniors. Avondetto and Giada Specia (KTM-Protek) became U23 champions.
DASCALU’S TALENT EMERGES IN LA THUILE
It seemed to be all down to a duel between Avondetto and Marotte, but once again, the final act of the Internazionali delivered a surprise ending. 24-year-old Romanian Vlad Dascalu, one of the brightest emerging talents in mountain bike, upset the expectations among Open Men, winning in La Thuile at the end of a leading race from start to finish. The Romanian biker beat Russian Anton Sintsov (Struby Bixs) and Stephane Tempier (Trek Factory Racing) to the finish line.
“I’m so happy,” Dascalu said after crossing the finish line. – “For me, it’s the first victory in Italy. I wanted to race in the lead, and I managed to do just that. Special thanks to Team Trek-Pirelli for making this possible.”
Dascalu, Blevins, Tempier, Zanotti and Sintsov built up a significant lead from the first corners, with Vittone (KTM-Protek) leading the chasing group, which was never in the running for the stage win. Unfortunately, GC leader Simone Avondetto (Trek-Pirelli) suffered a broken chain early on and was forced to restart from the last position, seeing his hopes vanish in spite of an impossible comeback attempt.
In the last lap, Dascalu managed to go solo and showed up alone on the finish line. The best Italian on the day was Juri Zanotti (KTM-Protek) in fourth place.
RICHARDS REPEATS IN LA THUILE. TEOCCHI THE ‘INTERNAZIONALI’ QUEEN
The dominator of the 2019 edition, Brit Evie Richards (Trek Factory Racing), managed the tough feat of repeating on La Thuile MTB Race‘s challenging course. Aussie Rebecca McConnell (Primaflor-Mondraker) and US Haley Batten (Trinity Racing) rounded out a World-class top-3.
Italian Chiara Teocchi (Trinity Racing), seventh on the day, severed the overall win at Internazionali d’Italia Series in the Open Women category for the third time in her career.
Richards launched the decisive attack in the second of five laps, leaving McConnell and Batten behind. After a fast start, Teocchi slipped back due to a crash without consequences in the rock garden. Nevertheless, the athlete from Bergamo had some breathing room in the overall standings to control the situation and her rivals.
Richards set with an unsustainable pace, launching a significant message in view of the Olympic race in Tokyo. McConnell crossed the finish line 2 minutes behind the winner. Giada Specia (KTM Protek Dama) was the best Italian on the day, in fourth place.
Sara Cortinovis (Four ES Racing) secured the fifth victory among Junior Women, completing an impressive clean sweep of the Internazionali d’Italia Series’ rounds. The Italian rider preceded on the finish line the Germans Sina Van Thiel (RSC Kempten) and Kaya Pfau (Kaya Pfau Team).
SIFFREDI SWEEPS THE JUNIOR SERIES: STAGE WIN AND INTERNAZIONALI CROWN
On Saturday, June 26th, La Thuile welcomed the XCO rising stars with a sunny morning and the chilly temperatures typical of the Alpine climate.
The Men’s race of the UCI Junior Series round, the World Cup for the Junior categories, opened La Thuile MTB Race’s program at 10.30 CET. Italian National Champion Matteo Siffredi (Scott-Libarna) smashed the competition for the Internazionali d’Italia Series crown thanks to an offensive tactic, conquering both the UCI Junior Series race and the Internazionali d’Italia Series Junior Men’s crown.
Behind the Italian athlete, German Paul Schehl (NN) and New Zealander Ethan Rose (NZ MTB Academy) rounded out the podium. “I’m happy I won the Internazionali d’Italia Series GC. It’s a dream come true”, said Siffredi.
Siffredi
Sara Cortinovis
THE ORGANIZERS’ WRAP-UP
Michele Mondini and Luca Carton of CM Outdoor Events, the managing company of Internazionali d’Italia Series, are satisfied with the 2021 edition of the most important Italian Cross Country circuit.
“The season didn’t have an easy start due to the health emergency, but our effort was paid back by top-level events, arguably the shiniest season in the Internazionali d’Italia’s recent history. XCO’s champions enjoyed our product and the opportunity to take in high-level races in a season affected by many cancellations”.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of the Italian Cycling Federation, the commitment of our sponsors Shimano, Scott Sports, Pirelli and GSG, and the resiliency of our organizers, who helped us to overcome every hurdle and were instrumental in relaunching MTB after a tough year. Our fondest gratitude goes to them, and to everyone who gave his contribution in the five stages of this year’s circuit.”
La Thuile (Italy), June 26th, 2021
