The race opened the Aprutium Race’s program on Saturday. On Sunday, GC leaders Martin Loo and Gioele Bertolini will square off against Italian National Champion Gerhard Kerschbaumer and Luca Braidot. Among Women, Tovo and Marchet will try to threaten Serena Calvetti’s lead
Good weather and the top riders of the Aprutium Race are everything it was needed to make Pineto (Teramo, Abruzzo) the Italian capital of Mountain Bike for a weekend. On Saturday June 9th, after the Kids’ competiton in the morning, the Internazionali d’Italia Series top riders have had the opportunity to discover the circuit charted by ASD Cerrano Outdoor where tomorrow, on Sunday June 10th, the third round of the challenge will be run. This is the first time for Internazionali d’Italia Series in Pineto, and lots of enthusiasm and curiosity are clearly in the air.
Each lap measures 3,9 km, with a 170 mt. elevation: that’s the kind of challenge all of the riders will face on Sunday, including the expected Open Men’s showdown at 2.30 PM. Martin Loo (Hawaii Express) and Gioele Bertolini (Team Focus Selle Italia) are even at the top of the overall standings after the exciting duel at Titano XCO in San Marino. They are expected to be in the run in Pineto as well, but so will be the likes of Andrea Tiberi (Team Focus Selle Italia), Luca Braidot (CS Carabinieri) and Italian Champion Gerhard Kerschbaumer (Torpado Gabogas), who carefully prepared his race by coming for a recce on the course last week.
“The route is tricky and clammy, but it will become faster as it dries. I have a good condition and I’m aiming for a good result. The race will take place near the sea, which is quite unique for mountain biking. It’s hot and s nice here: there are all the ingredients for a great event”, said Bertolini, determined improve the runner-up spot claimed in San Marino.
Serena Calvetti (KTM-Protek-Dama) versus the emerging prospects of the Italian MTB movement: this is the “leitmotif” of Internazionali d’Italia Series’ 2018 edition when it comes to the Open Women category. The defending champion – leader of the overall standings after her success at Titano XCO (San Marino) – will have to watch out for rising stars of the Rudy Project Team: Marika Tovo and Giorgia Marchet. Chiara Teocchi (Team Bianchi-Countervail) will also be in the discussion, whilst Eva Lechner (Clif Pro Team) was a late scratch after falling off a horse.
Great excitement also for the Junior duels: an entertaining clash is expected among Junior Men Filippo Fontana (Gottardo Giochi Caneva), winner in Nals, Simone Avondetto (Silmax Racing Team), first in San Marino, and Zaccaria Toccoli (Team Focus Selle Italia). Giada Specia (Team Velociraptors) is once again the frontrunner among Junior women, after her solo display in San Marino that earned her the overall lead.
On Sunday, the schedule starts with Rookies Men at 8:00AM, immediately followed by Rookies Women at 9:00AM, Cadets at 10:00AM, Junior Men at 11:00AM, Junior and Open Women at 12:30PM and Open Men at 2:30PM. The Open Men’s race will be broadcasted in live streaming on Internazionali d’Italia Series official channels, with highlights from Open Women, Junior Men and Women.
Pineto (Italy), June 9th, 2018
Marika Tovo in view of the Aprutium Race in Pineto
