Junior Federico Brafa wins bronze in Short Track at the MTB European Championships currently taking place in Melgaco, Portugal, which yesterday awarded medals in four categories. The Italian XCO champion, in a sprint finish, completed the race behind Austrian Anatol Friedl and Spaniard Guillermo Parrado Hortigosa: "A tough race from the very beginning. I was always among the leaders. I have some regret about this third place because I could have done better in the sprint." Italians also performed well with Pietro Cao finishing fifth. Elia Rial came 27th.

In the junior women's category, Slovenian Marusa Tereza Serkezi won the title, ahead of Czech Barbora Bukovska and Swedish Elinore Nilsson. Giorgia Pellizotti finished fourth, 31" behind the winner. Nicole Azzetti came 16th.

Chiara Teocchi finished fifth in the Elite and U23 race won by Swedish Jenny Rissveds, ahead of Swiss Nicole Koller and Linda Indergand. Sara Cortinovis placed 15th, Lucia Bramati 25th, and Nicole Pesse 27th.

In the Elite category, Swiss Luca Schatti surprisingly broke away and was never caught. The sprint for the podium involved about ten riders, including our Luca Braidot, who finished sixth. Simone Avondetto was 10th. Fabio Bassignana and Giulio Peruzzo finished 29th and 30th respectively.

Technical director Mirko Celestino's assessment of the first day: "Overall a positive day, with a medal won and several placements that push us to do even better in the coming days. Now we look to tomorrow's relay, where we must defend the title we won last year."

The athletes who will compete in today's Team Relay are: Zanotti, Paccagnella, Fabbro, Berta, Corvi, Ferri. "They practiced the course again yesterday," Celestino concluded, "and we are ready for a race that as a national team we feel particularly passionate about."