PIC HERE: WOMEN 20" | MEN JUNIORS 20" | MEN ELITE 20"
Credits: Pierre Tyessot
VERMIGLIO (VAL DI SOLE – TRENTINO), 2 SEPTEMBER 2016 – Spain is the great protagonist in Vermiglio, Trentino, on the first day of Trials 20” men’s individual finals of 2016 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championship Val di Sole. The Spanish monopolized the men’s podium Elite also thanks to the absence of the French athletes, knocked out in the semi-final. A bit of luck helped veteran Abel Mustieles to defend the title, only one point ahead of Benito Ros (Bronze 2015). Decisive was the mechanical failure that stopped Ros at the end of the first round when he was holding the lead. The race ended 8 to 9 for the outgoing champion. Bronze medal went to Areitio (21).
Among the juniors, Spanish Eloi Palau beat the French talented athlete Nicolas Vallee, 2015 champion and great protagonist in the World Cup overall events. Bronze was clinched by Slovak Samuel Hlavaty (17). The Spanish and French athletes finished the final race with a tie with 8 penalty points each and so, a rather unusual event, the title was awarded considering the semi-final standings, with Palau third ahead of Vallee. Seldom, in thirty years of Trials history, has the gold been awarded in this way. Seventh place for unlucky Italian Stefano Ravarelli, out of the final for only three points. Surprise among the women’s event, Germany’s Nina Reichenbach wore the rainbow jersey, improving the bronze conquered in Andorra 2015. She was the best with 21 penalty points. Silver went to Australia’s Janine Jungfels (31), unable to defend 2015 title. Belgian Perrine Devahive (36) .
Great protagonist was also “Barzola”, the troll of the Val di Sole carved in a trunk by local artist Lino Mosconi, who welcomed the finalists to the start. His story used to frighten the naughty kids of the valley and today is one of the most spectacular obstacles of the final. With 2.50 metres of height, it gave a hard time to competitors trying to avoid penalties. But despite its threatening expression, it did not frighten them. The brand new Trials park built in record time by the Committee headed by Aldo Bordati, on the plain with the lakes and the river. This stunning racecourse has been created using all the natural resources available: wood, rocks, ponds and streams. The race course is also characterized by a two pieces of artwork, created by an artist from Vermiglio, Lino Mosconi and put together by the volunteers under the supervision of the section designer Marco Patrizi: the Trentino pitch reminds of a huge Shangai game, with the trunks instead of the sticks, carved with the colours of the Chinese game; the second section was created with the giant letters forming the name Val di Sole. In the middle there are two more sections called Adamello Ski Ponte di Legno Tonale and Hde - Hydro Dolomiti Energia, consisting of huge rocks and a turbine for the production of hydroelectric energy. The last section consists of hand painted concrete structures.
Tomorrow the park will play host to 26” Elite and Junior men’s finals. Then 2016 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championship Val di Sole will leave Vermiglio and move to Commezzadura where in the next week-end the Elite 4X and Downhill titles will be awarded. But on Sunday on the Black Snake in Daolasa the Downhill race will end the Masters World events. Tomorrow morning the official practice runs will be held.
Alberto Penasa - Azienda Turismo Val di Sole
Viale Marconi, 7 - 3827 - Malè - (TN)
Tel. +39.0463.900863 - Fax +39.0463.901563
www.valdisole.net - penasa.a@valdisole.net
