Val di Sole's third time in the UCI Cyclocross World Cup, with its unique event on snow surface, was presented in Trento. On December 10th, the scenic Vermiglio in Trentino will host the discipline's leading athletes
Two years on from their debut in the UCI Cyclocross World Cup, Vermiglio and the Val di Sole Bikeland, are about to bring another show on snow and ice on December 10th.
The sole Italian World Cup event was launched on November 27th at the Trentino Marketing headquarters in Trento, sparking anticipation for a spectacle set against the stunning backdrop of Vermiglio's San Leonardo Lakes. Vermiglio anticipates welcoming thousands of spectators from across Europe, especially from cyclocross strongholds Belgium and the Netherlands. The event's extensive television coverage is set to captivate millions, ensuring fans won't miss a moment of the action.
The event is made possible by the collaborative efforts of Grandi Eventi Val di Sole, the Val di Sole Tourism Board, the support of the Pontedilegno-Tonale Consortium, and the strategic foresight of Flanders Classics, the management company of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup.
The press conference was attended by Trentino Marketing’s CEO Maurizio Rossini, Trentino Italian Cycling Federation President Giovannina Collanega and the Federal Councilor Fabrizio Cazzola, Trentino Italian Olympic Committee Vice President Massimo Eccel, the Val di Sole Tourism Board President and Director, Luciano Rizzi and Fabio Sacco, the Mayor of Vermiglio and Pontedilegno-Tonale Consortium Director Michele Bertolini and local athlete Martino Fruet.
VERMIGLIO PREPARES FOR WORLD CUP LEADERS
The 2023/2024 UCI Cyclocross World Cup season showcases a competitive balance among top contenders. In the Elite Men's field, the Belgian-Dutch rivalry intensifies, featuring Eli Iserbyt, Thibaut Nys, defending champion Michael Vanthourenhout, and Dutch competitors Lars Van der Haar, Pim Ronhaar, and Joris Nieuwenhuis.
The Elite Women's category is less predictable, with Britain's Zoe Backstedt and Italy's Sara Casasola contending with the formidable Dutch trio of Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and the last winner in Val di Sole Puck Pieterse.
TICKETS: BLEND SKIING AND CYCLOCROSS FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND
Tickets to the UCI Cyclocross World Cup in Vermiglio are available for €15 online at valdisolebikeland.com, with complimentary admission for children under 12 upon registration.
This event is a highlight of a winter getaway in Val di Sole's snow-laden landscapes. The Val di Sole Tourism Board and the Pontedilegno-Tonale Consortium offer a bespoke holiday package combining the thrills of skiing and cyclocross.
Guests staying at participating hotels (listed on www.pontedilegnotonale.com) can enjoy a 50% discount on race tickets and a 20% reduction on Pontedilegno-Tonale ski passes, with the discount code provided upon booking the package.
VAL DI SOLE'S COMMITMENT TO CARBON NEUTRALITY
With an eye on sustainability, Val di Sole leads the way with its "carbon neutral" initiative. In partnership with Climate Partner, the World Cup event offsets its carbon footprint by backing wind energy projects in Chile. The "El Pacifico" and "La Cebada" wind farms in Coquimbo, with their 57 turbines producing 109.6 MW, are slated to save 197,420 tonnes of CO2 annually.
EVENT SCHEDULE
The weekend's activities kick off with free practice sessions on Saturday, December 9th, from 14:00 to 16:00 CET. Race Day is Sunday, December 10th, with the Women's competition at 13:10 CET, followed by the Men's race at 14:40 CET.
Last season, Belgium's Michael Vanthourenhout claimed the men's title, while Dutch cyclist Puck Pieterse dominated the women's category in Vermiglio. Pieterse continued her winning streak at the 2023 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup stage in Daolasa di Commezzadura, contributing to her overall World Cup triumph.
