Merida Italia Team, 2014 started strong! First international race, and the first victories for the team, which shined in different categories. The XCO series "Internazionali d'Italia 2014" is started in Maser, the town near Treviso. Starting with the youngest, Alessandro Naspi immediately took command of the race Juniores, showing a super shape. The rider of Sirolo (Ancona - Italy) has inflicted a heavy detachment of more than a minute and a half to the second, this also because of the track a bit "old style", with its long climb. Great satisfaction also after the Open Race : the Estonian Champion Martin Loo, who started with the conviction of one who knows He's grown compared the previous season, remained in the front group trying to shake off opponents, with the aim of the first step of the podium. Martin usually suffer the fastest starts, but became less "diesel" than usual, and indeed , the opponents who tried to thwart his attacks have paid dearly for the effort. The final victory went to Michele Casagrande, who raced all the time with his pace, taking advantage of the good opportunity during the final round and winning deservedly . Second place then for Martin Loo: a defeat that gives a little bit of regret, but that makes us aware that the captain is further improved. Same speech for the Under23s, that from the first meters have appeared in great shape. Whether watching the race from the point of view of the overall standings and of the Under 23 category, their performance was absolutely effective. Lorenzo Samparisi has fact paid a little "redline run" on the first climb, and then was slowed by a puncture, but his recovery has led him to fight for the podium in the sprint . The real matadors were, however, Stefano Valdrighi and Gioele Bertolini, in first and second position, which left their opponents only crumbs. 15th place for Mattia Setti.
"We were not sure about our competitiveness level, but we knew that the boys were fine - the words of the Team Manager Marco Boccellari - We were surprised for the not brilliance of many opponents, but all things considered the winter did not stop anyone from working well . Nevertheless the results smile us more than expected . " The first race of the season has already given so beautiful emotions to the staff of Merida Italia Team, very happy for the guys and for all the sponsors. But this is no time to bask in: all are already working on the next race. Merida Italia Team is just a click away: www.hardrockmtb.com Follow the Team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram