Juri Zanotti is Team Relay World Champion!

What a start to the World Championships for the Wilier-Vittoria MTB Factory Team, Italy and Juri Zanotti! The Italian rider, alongside Martina Berta, Valentina Corvi, Fabio Bassignana, Giorgia Pellizotti and Paolo Costa, has been crowned Team Relay World Champion, with Italy finishing ahead of Switzerland and the United States.

At Daolasa di Commezzadura, in Val di Sole, the Italian national anthem rang out for the first time this week, with Zanotti proudly pulling on the rainbow jersey. There may not be many opportunities to wear it during the season, given the unique nature of the discipline, but very few riders in the world can say they have a rainbow jersey hanging at home.

“It feels a little strange to see myself wearing a jersey like this,” said Zanotti. “It’s the first rainbow jersey I’ve ever won and it feels incredible. It’s something I’ll have with me forever. The legs felt good today, so the signs are encouraging for what’s still to come over the next few days. For now, I want to thank all the staff and the team for the huge amount of work they’ve done, and of course all my teammates on the Italian national team. It’s amazing to share an emotion like this with them.”

But the rainbow week has only just begun. Tomorrow it’s time for the Short Track, with Simone Avondetto and Luca Braidot representing Italy, Sofie and Gustav Heby Pedersen racing for Denmark, and Ella MacPhee for Canada.

Then, on Sunday, all eyes will turn to the XCO.