Merida Italia Team: “Here is our World Championship”
World Championship have always a special atmosphere. A quote from the principal of Merida Italia Team Marco "Boss" Boccellari. "The Worlds for our Team started Thursday, September 4, on a Norwegian late summer hot day that quickly brought us to the climate of the Hafjell's World Championships. A few supporters, children already in school, only two junior Italians in the race, but great spectacle shown from the youngest of XC World Champs”. “The Italian Champion Alessandro Naspi and also his National Team mate Moreno Pellizzon, have sported a very good condition since the first rides. Their race, in fact, was a succession of overtakes, moving slowly close to the leaders lap by lap. While Ale was in 7th
position during the third of five lap had a flat, but unfortunately the technical assistance zone was far away and consequently his hopes of an outstanding result have vanished. At the end of the race his position was 20th” “Meanwhile Pellizzon continued his run in progression until getting a brilliant 9th place. The enthusiasm for the astonishing performance of our Junior, mixed with disappointment for drilling and the consequent lack of results, accompanied us till the day after, when the tension for the upcoming race of the Under23 prevailed. The race started badly for the light blue colours, Righettini had a flat and was forced to pit after a few meters from the start, so his race was compromised”. “However the others didn't have a good start, so they made a long recovery race far from the top positions. Anyway Gioele Bertolini has begin to run strong since the second lap, and further was constant for the whole race, but sure he was not satisfied about his final honorable 29th place. Stefano Valdrighi didn't have the legs of his best days and remains stable in the rear”. “Lorenzo Samparisi started feeling well from the third lap, and also due to a puncture in the final part of the race, has closed 35th. For the guys of Team Merida Italia the loot this time is mainly composed of experience, but it is good that everyone is peaceful and proud after the performance”. “Saturday, however, was the most exciting day. The crowds have come to cheer Gunn Rita Dahle, and we began to breathe a nice World Championships flavour. Already the Women's race has spared no emotions, and then the Elite one put on a even more beautiful show...” "Aside the fight of Absalon and Nino, a formidable Fontana made us literally fly for an hour and a half, and in the end our hearts have rejoiced as it happened a few times. Happy for him, his staff, for the national team, happy for us and for our riders, we come back home convinced that this was a very nice World Championship!". XC season of Merida Italia Team riders ends officially here: soon will be the time of some analysis. Merida Italia Team is just a click away www.hardrockmtb.com Follow us also on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram