For the third consecutive year, Italy takes the podium in the Team Relay at the MTB Europeans. At Monteceneri, after two consecutive continental titles, the Italian National team conquers the silver medal behind Switzerland, bringing Italy's tally to two medals in the championship after Juri Zanotti's second place in the Elite Short Track.

The squad composed of Filippo Fontana, Jacopo Putaggio, Valentina Corvi, Giada Specia, Mariachiara Signorelli and Fabio Bassignana interpreted the race always in top positions, remaining competitive with the home nation in the early stages. Switzerland found the decisive acceleration in the second lap, progressively increasing their advantage, while the Italians defended second place all the way to the finish line.

Denmark finished behind in third place, ahead of Germany. For the Italian National team, this represents the third consecutive podium in the European Team Relay, confirming consistent performance in a discipline where the Italians have been absolute protagonists in recent years with two titles and one silver medal.

Present at Monteceneri to closely follow the Italian athletes, the president of the Italian Cycling Federation Cordiano Dagnoni commented with satisfaction on the team's performance: "After two consecutive victories in the previous editions, managing to reach the podium again in such a competitive event is an important result. We have a solid squad, with experienced athletes and young riders capable of competing at the highest European levels. The journey is still long, but these initial results give us enthusiasm and confidence to face the upcoming challenges".

The Europeans program will continue today with races dedicated to the Junior and Under 23 men's categories. Sunday will feature the Under 23 women's race and the Elite races, which will close the continental championship.

ALL RESULTS

SCHEDULE

Saturday, August 1st

11.00 – XCO Junior Men
14.15 – XCO Junior Women
16.15 – XCO Under 23 Men

Sunday, August 2nd

11.00 – XCO Under 23 Women
13.30 – XCO Elite Women
16.10 – XCO Elite Men

Italian athletes selected

Nicole Azzetti (KTM-Protek-Elettrosystem)
Fabio Bassignana (KTM-Protek-Elettrosystem)
Marco Betteo (Team Sogno Veneto)
Gabriel Borre (Team Trisports VDA)
Giovanni Bosio (Ciclistica Trevigliese)
Filippo Cazzaniga (Santa Cruz TSA Beltrami)
Marika Celestino (KTM-Protek-Elettrosystem)
Nadir Colledani (Olympia Factory Team)
Sara Cortinovis (Unno Factory Racing – C.S. Esercito)
Valentina Corvi (Fiamme Oro – Canyon CLLCTV XCO)
Paolo Costa (G.S. Lupi Valle d'Aosta)
Riccardo Fasoli (KTM-Protek-Elettrosystem)
Filippo Fontana (CS Carabinieri Cicli Olympia)
Angelica Gatto (Santa Cruz TSA Beltrami)
Giulio Peruzzo (KTM-Protek-Elettrosystem)
Jacopo Putaggio (Liguria XCO Project)
Mariachiara Signorelli (Speed Bike Rocks)
Giada Specia (KTM Factory MTB Team)
Laura Squarise (Trinx Factory Team)
Juri Zanotti (Wilier-Vittoria Factory Team)