Simone Avondetto ended the World Cup weekend in Val di Sole with an impressive comeback for the Wilier Vittoria MTB Factory Team. The Piedmontese rider secured 6th place in the XCO event, finishing just 56 seconds behind the winner, the legendary Nino Schurter.
His performance was affected by a crash on Friday during the XCC, which forced him to withdraw and left him with a few scrapes that undoubtedly hindered him in the demanding XCO race. With four World Cup races still to go, the European champion Avondetto remains in the Top 10 of the overall standings, solidifying his status as the best Italian rider.
"I started a bit behind but felt good," Avondetto said. "When I caught up with the second group, we fought hard, but I was missing something in the final laps. It's a shame about the podium; it was within reach if I had been at my best. However, I'm optimistic about what's to come in the next few weeks. I'm eagerly awaiting the call-ups for the Paris Olympics.”
In the U23 women's category, Ginia Lara Caluori achieved a double Top 10 in Val di Sole, finishing 7th in XCO and 8th in XCC. The young Swiss rider is now 5th in the overall standings, hopeful for further improvement in the upcoming events.
There's no time to rest, though, as the next World Cup event is already on the horizon: from June 21 to 23, the team will be in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, for the fifth race of the season.
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