On Sunday April 2nd, the third stage of Internazionali d’Italia Series is set for a major show, with MTB giants such as Julien Absalon and Gunn-Rita Dahle (three Olympic golds between the two). Sarrou, Valero, Marotte, Vogel, Neff, Langvad, Wloszczowska and more: all in contention for a big win.
When spring blooms, the Lake Garda becomes heaven for the riders, and for MTB riders in first place. Trofeo Delcar in Montichiari (Italy), is celebrating its sixth edition on Sunday April 2nd, the lone HC race of the Italian calendar.
©Michele Mondini
THE TOP FAVORITES
Organized by Novagli Team Bike, the Trofeo Delcar will see the top riders in MTB in action on the 4,5 km loop, looking to break into a prestigiuous golden book. Topping the list in terms of fans’ expectations is Julien Absalon: the two-time Olympic and seven-time World Champion returns to the Internazionali d’Italia after several years, for the enthiusiasm of his Italian supporters. The BMC Team will show up in full strenght along with its leader, with Lars Forster pointed as one of the riders to watch.
Among men, along with GC leader Marco Aurelio Fontana and his Bianchi Countervail’s teammate Stephane Tempier, Maxime Marotte (Cannondale Factory Team) will try to get a repeat win in Montichiari after 2016, just a few days after breaking the ice at the Coupe de France in Marseille. Florian Vogel (Focus XC) will also be part of the game: coming off the solid success in Milan, the Swiss already conquered the Trofeo Delcar two years ago. Jordan Sarrou (BH), David Valero (MMR Factory), Fabian Giger (Kross Racing Team) and the Fluckiger brothers will also deserve a close look in what suggests to be a very contested and entertaining race.
Already on the Lake Garda are some of the top favorites of the Women’s race: Maja Wloszczowska (Kross Racing Team) with her Poland National Team, Norwegian legend Gunn-Rita Dahle who will go for her third Trofeo Delcar in a row on Sunday, and the Swiss National team of World’s #1 Jolanda Neff (Kross Racing Team). “This area offers the ideal conditions and climate to do some quality work ahead of the crucial months of the season – explained Swiss Team coach Edmund Telser – and closing the training camp with a top-level race such as Trofeo Delcar certainly adds something more. The girls are happy and satisfied, they know this location very well and really seized the opportunity of spending a camp here.”
With Annika Langvad (Specialized), Linda Indergand (Focux XC) and Alessandra Keller (Radon XC) also in the race, it will certainly be an interesting lunch time in Montichiari on Sunday.
THE TRACK
The 4,5 km loop is pretty much the same the riders have been racing on in previous editions: after the start in downtown Montichiari, the athletes will climb to the Bonoris Castle, providing a suggestive scenery for athletes and spectators. The only significant difficulty will concern the castle itself, as the riders will come out of the walls through a special catwalk, providing an additional spectacular point for the fans to place.
THE WORDS OF THE ORGANIZER
Eugenio Boschetti of Novagli Team Bike, head of the Trofeo Delcar’s OC, showed his satisfaction for his event’s progression: “We are proud of the incredible number of top riders who will animate our race: our story started five years ago, and keeps on giving us amazing satisfactions, also thanks to supporting brands like Delcar, Amica Chips, Intensity and Fraccaro – to mention some. I also wish to thank Internazionali d’Italia Series, a circuit that has grown along with us, and CM Outdoor Events for their commitment and determination in constantly raising the bar.”
“The importance of this event – Boschetti continued – goes beyond cycling as a sport for us. The Trofeo Delcar is part of a strategy to establish the Brescia side of the Lake Garda as an ideal destination for bikers at any level. The fact that Switzerland and Poland chose to have their training camps here in these days makes us proud, and indicated that we are moving in the right direction.”
TROFEO DELCAR ON WEB
A 30-minute video magazine on the third stage of the Internazionali d’Italia will be streamed on the Facebook page of PMG Sport in the evening of Sunday April 2nd.
TROFEO DELCAR MONTICHIARI’S PROGRAMME
Saturday April 1st, 2017
11:00 – Official riders’ presentation
13:00-19:00 – Race Office Opening
15:00-18:00 – Track inspection
19:00 – Kermesse Junior Bike Brescia – Trofeo Maggi
Sunday April 2nd, 2017
7.00 Race Office Opening
8.45 Rookies Race start
9.45 Cadets Race start
11.15 Junior Race start
13.00 Open Women Race start
15.00 Open Men Race start
2017 INTERNAZIONALI D’ITALIA SERIES’ CALENDAR
March 4th, 2017: Verona MTB International
March 12th, 2017: Milano “La Montagnetta”
April 2nd, 2017: Trofeo Delcar – Montichiari (BS)
April 9th 2017: Marlene Südtirol Sunshine Race – Nalles (BZ)
June 3rd, 2017: Courmayeur Internazionale (AO)
