Merida Italia Team at the first stage of the World Cup 2015 First stage of the World Cup 2015 in Nove Mesto Na Morave in the Czech Republic, ended a few hours ago. The athletes of Merida Italia Team have led a good race, showing everyone a good athletic condition.
The beautiful track in the pine forest full of technical difficulties and made even more difficult by the rain, has really put a strain on all the athletes, however supported by thousands of spectators spread along the entire route. The strong start of Gioele Bertolini (start number #41), allowed him to be catapulted from the beginning in the top positions, then maintained throughout the race. With a smart conduction of the race, and pulling out his technical skills, Gioele managed to enter in the top ten, finishing with an excellent ninth place. Lorenzo Samparisi (start number #59) had a good start and led the race with great concentration, managing his energies for the whole of the competition and continuing to climb positions, finishing 25th and then collecting precious UCI points.
The youngest athlete of the Team, Alessandro Naspi (start number #138), sported a very high level of competitiveness, recovering a loto of positions from the back, and clocking hot lap times until the last one, finishing the race in 43rd position. Mattia Setti (start number #94) had a good start, and has led a good first part of the race, then having to unfortunately to give up due to pesky stomach pains, however concluding on the 56th place. Stefano Valdrighi (start number #64) was the athlete that has suffered the most the extreme technical level of the track, not being able to express his real potential, concluding however honorably in 70th place. Was a long and demanding trip for the small Sports Association of Piacenza, especially in these times of general economic difficulty, but the rewards resulting from the results of the athletes require not to give up and give the best. The next Sunday is so close, and Merida Italia Team will visit Germany in Albstadt for the second round of the World Cup 2015.