Silver medal and second place for Italy in the World Team Relay event that kicked off the Cyclocross World Championships in Lievin, France today. The Italian team, composed of Gioele Bertolini, Mattia Agostinacchio, Lucia Bramati, Sara Casasola, Stefano Viezzi and Giorgia Pellizotti, lost the title by just 2" to Great Britain (Amey, Backstedt, Ferguson, Mein, Roche, Wills) who won gold with a final time of 50'03". Bronze went to the host nation France.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Great Britain 50:03

2. Italy +2

3. France +5

4. United States +8

5. Czech Republic +1:16

6. Belgium +1:21

7. Canada +1:24

8. Spain +2:29

9. Japan +7:51

10. Romania +10:41