Four-man squad for the European Championship XCO The disappointment for the failure to win in the category under 23 at the Italian Championship of Volpago del Montello is difficult to dispose of, but fortunately there is no time enough to continue think about it. The Italian MTB is in fact already focused on the Continental Championships event, moreover held at home in Chies d'Alpago.
The call of the National Team Chief Huby Pallhuber rewards the work of almost all the guys of Merida Italia Team. In fact four of the five U23 of the Team are called to wear the lightblue shirt in the coming days, namely Gioele Bertolini, Lorenzo Samparisi, Stefano Valdrighi and Mattia Setti. Differently of three of his companions, Gioele will be also part of the Italian Team for the Team Relay Race of Thursday, in addition to the usual XCO competition of Sunday morning. Gioele is without any doubt one of the most established talents of Italian off-road, and during this season 2015 has dominated the category at national level, with very good results also in the international field, so the choice of the National Team Chief seems obvious. Lorenzo Samparisi is at his last year in the U23 category, and permanently established within the national team. He will be present at the race start relying on an excellent athletic condition gained in the last period.
Stefano Valdrighi earns the trust of national coach, despite the nasty fall that compromised his last National Championship, just as he was in the head of the race. However, is fortunately escaped unhurt by the crash. Mattia Setti isat his first call in light-blue, and the entire staff of the Team is certain that he will honour the jersey. It's a shame for the exclusion of the fifth Under 23 of Merida Italia Team, namely Alessandro Naspi, at his first year in the category and Italian Juniores Champion of season 2014. Considering that the decisions of the National Team are also a matter of numbers and compromises, Alessandro probably will find other opportunities, thanks to his talent, although sentences of circumstance as these at this time can't make any difference. Over the weekend the staff of Merida Italia Team will be on the track of Chies d'Alpago to cheer and encourage its athletes, but especially to shout FORZA ITALIA !!!!