European Mountain Bike: Avondetto is gold, Italy is second in the medal table

One gold and one bronze. This is the spoils of the last day of the European Mountain Bike Championships in Anadia (Portugal). Success came with Simone Avondetto in the under 23 cross country, third place with Giada Specia in the same category. With today’s medals, Italy confirms itself in 2nd place in the medal table behind Switzerland, but ahead of Holland. For the blues 2 golds (Avondetto and Gaia Tormena), 2 silvers (Giorgia Marchet and Team Relay) and a bronze from Specia.

The latest medals

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Avondetto, a Piedmontese from San Secondo di Pinerolo and a student in Mechanical Engineering, today has kept faith with the prediction that he was the favorite. The decisive attack in the third lap that pushed him to success in front of the British Charly Albridge and the Swiss Janis Baumann. “A beautiful day in a tough race. The important thing was to make the difference immediately – the words of the new European champion -. In the last 2 laps I kept the margin gained, even if the penultimate lap was the most difficult to manage because the fatigue was felt. However, I noticed that the gap did not decrease. I kept the lead thanks to my determination. Being a champion is a huge satisfaction and I want to dedicate the gold to everyone who has been there during the preparation process. Behind the medal there is a lot of work. Thank you all”. In the Dutch domination female test with the couple Puck Pieterse and Fem van Empel to make a void. Third place for the blue Specia. Italy enriches its balance with the 6th place of Sara Cortinovis from Bergamo. “The European Championship was one of my great goals of the season. It was important to know how to manage the opponents too, gritting my teeth and keeping the Dane’s return at bay. For me it is the first medal of this level. I thank the teammates who supported me throughout the journey, it is also thanks to them that I made it. I am happy and now I look forward to the World Championships to be held in France, in Les Getz, at the end of August with new motivations. I will give the best of me. I feel serene and I am preparing myself with commitment ”. The Belluno woman from Pedavena, who in her life dedicates herself only to cycling, reveals a detail of her preparation. “I spent a whole month at Pordoi to prepare myself on the high ground. A great sacrifice, but the result paid off ”.