The fourth place obtained at the recent Italian Championships in Brugherio among Under 23 riders will be the last performance of Mattia Agostinacchio's cyclocross season. The Valle d'Aosta native, as announced by his team through their official channels, has decided to end his mud season early this winter 2025/26 to recover from a debilitating viral infection that, in recent weeks, has prevented him from performing at his best.

"I am disappointed to miss the last races of the season, but that's how it is. We have decided to close my season to allow me to recover and it is the best thing to do," stated the eighteen-year-old from EF Education-EasyPost.

"I am proud of what I have done in these months: I have had ups and downs, but overall I think we can say it went quite well with the results obtained at the Europeans and in Namur. The last few weeks have been frustrating because I just couldn't push on the pedals."

For the current Under 23 European champion (title won with authority in Middelkerke last November 8th), his first season in the category closes with two victories, second places at Zoncross Sutrio and in the first race of the Due Giorni di Salvirola, third place at the Trofeo Città Di Firenze, and the satisfaction of having made his debut, not at all poorly, in the Elite World Cup by finishing thirteenth in the Namur event.

Curiously, thirteen is also the total number of races Agostinacchio has participated in this season, a number to which, unfortunately, his presence at the Hulst World Championships will not be added, as the former junior world champion will skip the event by mutual agreement with his team.

This absence will certainly deprive Italy of an important medal contender in the Dutch event, but at the same time, looking at the forfeit from the perspective of the Aosta native, it will allow him to have the necessary time to focus on his recovery and subsequently set his sights on the anticipated debut in the World Tour.

"It will be truly special. I don't know what to expect from myself and the other riders in the group, but I know that I will listen to my coaches, train, try to stay relaxed, and take the time I need," said the younger of the Agostinacchio brothers, who in the coming months, after his cyclocross adventures, will face other exciting firsts.