The top Azzurri XC riders have reached Daolasa di Commezzadura to take part in the Italian stage of the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. Six weeks before the Olympic race, National Team coach Celestino has tough choices to make on the way to Paris
Although the competitions in Val di Sole have not yet begun, the race venue in Daolasa di Commezzadura is already full of excitement for one of the most popular and traditional events in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. This is even truer in the most anticipated season of the last three years, leading up to the Paris 2024 Olympic medals which will be awarded on July 28 and 29.
This year, Val di Sole stage is six weeks before the Olympic MTB races: in the paddock you will find those looking for confirmation after a brilliant start to the season as well as those looking for answers and better condition after a problematic start.
What is certain is that no one will be able to hide in Val di Sole: on Friday, June 14, in the short track and on Sunday, June 16, in the cross country races. This also applies to the athletes of the Italian XCO team, who are expected to put in a convincing performance to win National Team coach Mirko Celestino’s trust in view of his upcoming Olympic call-ups.
While Simone Avondetto seems to have his Olympic ticket in the bag thanks to his recent European elite cross-country title won in Romania (and he will be presenting his new European champion jersey in Trentino), the same cannot be said for other spot in the Italian Men’s team.
“In Val di Sole I want to dispel the last doubts with regard to the Olympic Games in Paris," said coach Mirko Celestino on his arrival in Daolasa di Commezzadura.
There is clearly a choice in the air, and that might be a two-way race between Luca Braidot and Juri Zanotti. Braidot, a veteran of the Italian national team, has always performed well in Val di Sole and has a wealth of experience to draw on, but Zanotti – who won the silver medal at the U23 World Championships here in 2021 – is an equally serious candidate to claim Italy’s second mtb Olympic spot.
Celestino will also be keen to see Martina Berta’s performance here in Trentino after the Italian champion finished second here in 2023.
“The Italian riders are motivated to perform well. Many athletes have not yet shown their full value this season, but that is understandable in an Olympic year like this. Now is the moment: Val di Sole is the most important Italian event and I expect a lot from our riders".
There will also be room in Val di Sole for the athletes in the U23 categories, who will also be looking to redeem themselves after a less than brilliant start to the season. “I think we can expect a good race from Matteo Siffredi and Valentina Corvi, our best U23 riders at the moment. Unfortunately, Sara Cortinovis had some difficulties in the 2024 season, but she clearly has enough time to recover, perhaps right here in Val di Sole".
For the cross country athletes, the program starts on Thursday June 13th, with the first free training sessions. The women will train on the course from 11:00 to 13:00, followed by a training session open to all riders from 13:00 to 15:00. The men's training session will take place from 15:00 to 17:00. The athletes can expect a profoundly changed course, which has a few surprises in store for them in the final section.
In the meantime, the downhill athletes have been able to familiarize themselves with the Black Snake from this Wednesday (June 12th) in Daolasa, with the traditional "foot inspection" that precedes the first free training sessions on Thursday.
The Four Cross program also kicks off tomorrow evening with a free practice session at 19:30, followed by the 4X Pro Tour qualifiers starting at 21:00. The first of many events will also take place in the late afternoon, an aperitif with DJ set, from 17:30 to 19:30.
Tickets for Saturday, June 15 (downhill race), and Sunday, June 16 (cross-country race), are available in advance at http://www.valdisolebikeland.com/. .
