Albstadt, second World Cup Stage for Merida Italia Team The second stage of the World Cup 2015 was held at Albstadt (GER), and has been not fine as Nove Mesto for the riders of Merida Italia Team, however authors of a good performance.
The German transfer came soon after the Czech one, without leaving anyone's time to recover energies, and especially to recharge the batteries of the athletes. Despite the riders faced the race and its preparation time with determination and commitment, was clear from the first lap that the athletes of Merida Italia Team were not as bright as the week before. Gioele Bertolini, started with bib #9 (deployed in the second row), had to use all his mental energy, because his legs were not responding properly, showing a great suffering capacity even during less exciting races, like the Albstadt one. His 22nd final position must be not certainly taken as a negative result, even because thanks of his fighting desire in the latter part of the race, he earned the 14th position in the overall standings. Lorenzo Samparisi has appeared the fresher of the whole team. Started strong and concentrated, has unfortunately had a flat on the second lap losing positions, but however finding immediately the belief that he can do well, clocking fast times until the finish line (43rd place finish for him).