A great Italy, the one that stands on the highest step of the world podium in a specialty like the Mixed Relay in which it has pursued the most beautiful medal since the first edition, in 2019.

At the foot of the podium the first to celebrate is technical commissioner Marco Villa who told Raisport microphones: "A beautiful victory in which I believed because throughout the week the two male and female groups supported each other, exchanging advice both for the individual time trial and for this relay. It is the triumph of a beautiful group and applause also goes to those who are not here, since among the first selected were Affini and Venturelli, who then had physical problems, or Frigi and Baroncini who always gave their availability. Two years ago the president asked me to try to win the Team Relay and finally we managed it. And it is precisely the group that is the pillar of my way of working, I adopted it on the track and I replicated it also on the road: first you have to build the group and then work on the legs. This is also why I asked the Federation to be able to count on Dario David Cioni who gave us a great hand and deserves great thanks".

The coach closes with a reflection: "From many sides I hear people say 'this is missing, that is missing' but behind this choice there is a well-founded reason: it is difficult to put together three men and three women who apply themselves with dedication, who accept suffering for one another, who really work as a team. And we were good at doing it".

What the six Italians dressed in the rainbow jersey then give us is a kaleidoscope of emotions in which the word team always remains at the center of all thoughts. Here is what they said at the press conference.

Filippo Ganna immediately gives the meaning of the victory: "This is a different jersey for me. We talked a lot about this relay, for the teammates it is a special moment, but especially when you win with a friend it is different. Now we celebrate and enjoy this day, it is really beautiful when you cross the finish line and see boys and girls cheering and celebrating together. I am very happy, it is something you pursue for a long time. It is clear that my emotions for my race are different, and I am sad about the second place in the time trial, but this victory gives me a lot of happiness to share with this group".

Pippo then returns to Evenepoel's statements after Sunday's time trial: "Ah, he improves too. I have great respect for Remco as a person and as an athlete, I don't doubt anything. He went very strong and I know I went strong, if he wants we sit at the table together and I show him the numbers from the time trial, I have no problem showing them to him. I am happy for him that he won. And I wish him that he can do very well on Sunday. Now I will go back home, I will follow Sunday's race from home after Leonardo Basso's wedding, and I wish the Italian team well, they deserve it".

Elisa Longo Borghini, the other leader of Italy, is the face of happiness: "Honestly, this jersey is very moving for me, because it is my very first rainbow jersey. And then we are much more than a team. I wanted a creative team and it is very beautiful to share emotions with these boys and girls, I am very proud of them. This victory is also a small signal that the movement is in good health. I read all the criticism we always receive, but this is a particular day and honestly I absolutely don't want to go in this direction towards controversy because I am so happy that I just want to see this moment with my teammates. For Saturday, personally, this victory says a lot. It means I am in good condition, but I want to stay focused on the road race and what we can do as a team. I believe we will be a great national team and we will be able to put on a beautiful performance".

Mattia Cattaneo is the teammate who never gives up: "This victory is very important for Italy and for everyone, but now we have Sunday's road race ahead of us, it is another race and we will try to do the best we can, as in every race".

Monica Trinca Colonel, the exultation of the debutant: "Until recently I was studying, now I am here with the world champion jersey. I have to thank Filippo, Mattia, Matteo, Vittoria and Elisa, they all believed in me and pushed me, and I definitely won't sleep tonight. I still have my legs trembling from the finish... I did a sprint from the last corner to the finish line, I gave everything, I could barely stand, Elisa always pushes me to the limit, but for me it is a source of inspiration and so it is also an honor to suffer".

Vittoria Guazzini, the confirmation: "We had a plan, we had to be very careful on the curves, and we knew exactly where to change. I had to go all out until the last corner before the finish, then Monica and Elisa would definitely be faster than me. So I really gave everything and then I saw them fly... The season so far had been terrible for me, if I'm being honest. I came to Canada hoping for two good performances. Sunday, after the time trial finished, I was satisfied with my performance and I immediately thought about today. I gave everything, the girls really pushed me to the limit. I tried to use my characteristics as best I could for the team".

Matteo Sobrero, the friend rediscovered: "Winning for the group is really something else. This is a beautiful group, you saw it at the finish too, everyone was jumping and cheering, and we have fun outside of racing too. This is the most beautiful aspect that unites us".

Ganna closes again, the symbol of the Italian movement: "We already knew from the beginning of the season that there was this possibility of the mixed relay and that we could do very well. Last night we had a half-hour meeting to talk about how to take the curves, where to take them, where to change, who to pull harder and who less, to try to remember the curves better and put the guys in the position of best comfort. So I think we all did our part, that we were all really perfect. Here it is like in the team pursuit, when you manage to get a great team result it always gives you something more, because you know there is a genuine group that works well. And I think seeing us with this jersey on gave pleasure to many Italians at home who followed us".