Italy made its mark at the MTB Marathon European Championships, held yesterday in Casella, among the trails and elevation changes of the Ligurian Apennines. The Azzurri won three medals in the elite categories: two in the men's race, with Andrea Siffredi second and Gioele De Cosmo third, and one in the women's event, where Mara Fumagalli finished third after a long battle for silver.

In the men's category, the European title went to German Andreas Seewald, who made the decisive move in the central part of the course. Behind him, an excellent performance by the Azzurri: both at their first continental podium in the marathon specialty, Siffredi and De Cosmo managed the technical and selective race perfectly, on a course made even more challenging by the level of competitors. Completing the Italian performance was Dario Cherchi's fifth place, a home athlete who was already third on the same course in 2023: a placement that confirms his potential, also looking to the future.

Among the women, Mara Fumagalli fought long for second place, giving way only in the final kilometers on a particularly technical downhill section. She left behind a fierce competition, bringing home a valuable medal. The title went to German Morath, with silver to Spanish Fischer. Unlucky Sandra Mairhofer, victim of a double puncture while in the lead group: she then fought back to seventh position. Debora Piana finished fifth, while Claudia Peretti finished further back, hampered by a condition not yet optimal after an injury.

Team Coach Mirko Celestino was satisfied: "It was a very positive day for the entire team. We collected important results and demonstrated having a solid, competitive, and motivated group. Beyond the medals, I liked the spirit with which the boys and girls approached the race: determined, focused, and always present in the heart of the action. Even those who had problems - I think of Rabesteiner's fall or Mairhofer's double puncture - gave their all until the end. This attitude makes the difference in a tough marathon race. I'm also happy with the atmosphere created within the group these days: we worked well, professionally, but also with great cohesion. It's a good sign for the future. I thank the staff for their constant support: it's thanks to the preparation and attention that we can put the athletes in the best conditions to express themselves."

Cheering for the Azzurri today was also President Cordiano Dagnoni, who applauded the team's performances: "Many congratulations to the team, impeccably managed by Mirko Celestino. Bringing two athletes to the podium in the men's race and one in the women's, and also placing 6 athletes in the two top tens, is concrete proof of the high quality of our movement, especially considering the level of competition. It's a result that offers us a reliable gauge for upcoming important events. Praise also to the organizers and the Ligurian committee: bringing a European championship to such a challenging course, with 83 km almost entirely on dirt roads, is not simple. There was great work on the territory, involving many volunteers and ensuring high-level logistics. The start and finish inside the park added further value to the event. The sensations are positive, both from a technical and organizational point of view: good foundations on which to build the future."