Cannondale Factory Racing’s Frenchman, #3 in UCI World rankings, starts off at the Internazionali d’Italia, where he won in Montichiari last year.
The 2017 Internazionali d’Italia Series starts on Saturday March 4th with Verona MTB International at the Parco delle Colombare.
Maxime Marotte, one of the top riders in Internazionali d’Italia Series
On the starting line of the new event will be Maxime Marotte, #3 in UCI World Ranking, and new big gun of the Cannondale Factory Racing Team that said goodbye to Marco Aurelio Fontana. He’s an international star is coming to Italy to contend the frontrunner’s status for the Internazionali d’Italia opener to Team Bianchi Countervail’s Prorider and his teammate Stephane Tempier.
“Until last year, I was racing for a French team (BH Bikes) whose program was very much focused on the French calendar, so I did not get so many opportunities to race at the Internazionali d’Italia”, said the 30-year-old from Mulhouse, who claimed the sole Internazionali d’Italia race he took part in last year, the Trofeo Delcar in Montichiari. “I really like this circuit. I am looking forward to the show and a great atmosphere, also because the races are usually run in the city centers, with a lot of fans. And I was looking forward to a new challenge to start the season.”
Marotte already looks comfortable in the new colors: “The first training camp in South Africa went really well, and I think joining Cannondale was the right choice. Honestly, it feels like I have been part of this group for much longer.”
The Frenchman won’t make predictions on his performance in Verona, but is clear about his most expected rivals: “I just have training under the belt, so it’s hard to say where I could be compared to the rivals, and I am looking forward to feedback from the first race. In Verona, I think Marco Aurelio Fontana will be the one to beat: he is coming off the cyclocross season, and he will be super motivated from Team Bianchi Countervail. I expect Stephane Tempier to have a better race, and I think he will be the man for Nalles.”
The event in Verona will be the first round of an intense campaign for Marotte at the Internazionali d’Italia: “I also have Milano, Montichiari and Nalles in my program. Do I think about the GC? If things get well, it would be a pleasure to fight for it.”
VERONA MTB INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM
Saturday March 4th, 2017
9:00 – 11:00 – Free practice on the route
11:40 – 11:55 – Call-up Open Women, Junior Men and Junior Women
12:00 – 13:30 – Internazionali d’Italia XCO race – Open Women, Junior Men and Junior Women
13:40 – 14:10 – Free practice on the route
14:15 – 14:30 – Call-up Open Men
14:30 – 16:00 – Internazionali d’Italia XCO race – Open Men
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)
Verona, February 24th, 2017
