Pezzo Rosola and Grigolini, Grigolini and Pezzo Rosola. If you go to a cyclocross race, these are the names you'll hear most often in the junior athlete competitions. It's a massive rivalry that continues from the youth categories, made of challenges, victories, and defeats, but most importantly, of beautiful moments. As expected at the Italian championships in Brugherio a few days ago, Patrik Pezzo Rosola (FAS Airport Services Guerciotti Premac) confirmed his national title after a truly exciting race.

Paolo Guerciotti provided the best description of the junior race, "an adrenaline-pumping competition, neck and neck, that had us jumping out of our seats"; the patron of the eponymous bike manufacturer and cyclocross team was overflowing with excitement while embracing his rider. Congratulations to Filippo Grigolini came immediately after, as did the handshake between the top two finishers - a race without pulling any punches, but always fair. "It was a great duel, my legs were good, and I made the difference only in my handling. Filippo is incredibly strong and once again gave me a hard time. Finding a way to beat him is becoming increasingly difficult," Patrik said, who went on to wear the national jersey for the second consecutive year. Next to him, Filippo with his European champion jersey was somewhat disappointed but admitted his opponent's superiority and acknowledged making a few mistakes - after all, they're now even.

Two months ago in Middelkerke, it went exactly the opposite way, with Grigolini as European champion and Pezzo Rosola taking a brilliant silver. Always them, always together, always pushing each other in a rivalry that constantly keeps us on the edge of our seats. Their rivalry is beautiful because it doesn't aim to destroy the opponent, but rather to continuously improve in order to beat them. Both Filippo and Patrik tell us exactly the same thing - the importance of having a rival at the same level, but also a friend who pushes them to keep their heads down and work towards perfection. "Patrik and I grew up together, even though we approached cycling differently, we love it equally. We respect each other and have shared many adventures," Grigolini explains, highlighting how this Italian-style rivalry is also exciting foreign fans. In Belgium, they're supported by fans shouting their names, and both Filippo and Patrik feel an incredible energy.

In recent years, the Italian junior category has been unbeatable. In 2024 with Stefano Viezzi and in 2025 with Mattia Agostinacchio, we managed to grab two world titles, leaving behind all the experienced nations. While Belgium and the Netherlands invest heavily in cyclocross, Italy continues to lag behind, yet the talent is definitely there. Patrik and Filippo are the epitome of excellence in our country, two young men who believe in their dream and enjoy cycling. We're about to enter the final and decisive month of the mud season, and an exciting challenge is on the horizon, similar to the national championship. In the World Cup, with two races remaining, Grigolini and Pezzo Rosola lead the standings with just 9 points separating them, and anything could happen. For now, the jersey challenge is one-to-one, one with the European title and the other with the Italian championship, but on Sunday, February 1st, the world championship will be run, and our boys might just pull off something spectacular.