WILIER-VITTORIA, MUD AND RAIN DON'T STOP ZANOTTI AND S.PEDERSEN, ON THE PODIUM IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE INTERNAZIONALI D’ITALIA

The Internazionali d’Italia Series 2025 have begun in San Zeno di Montagna (Verona), and the Wilier-Vittoria MTB Factory Team immediately proved ready with an encouraging double podium. Juri Zanotti confirmed the good sensations from the first outing in Albenga, bringing home a 3rd place behind Filippo Fontana and the Frenchman Luca Martin.

The same podium placement for Sofie Heby Pedersen, who is improving her condition week after week and finished 1’35” behind the winner Jolanda Neff. All this at the end of a dreadful day, with rain and mud making the track extremely heavy and very treacherous.

"It wasn't an easy race given the downright adverse weather conditions," admitted Zanotti. "We also had to choose a particular set-up, but the feeling with the bike was excellent. In the end, it went well, the podium was the minimum goal and we achieved it. The level was still quite good and I would say that these first two outings in the Wilier-Vittoria jersey were satisfactory, with many positive signs to start from."

"My start was really terrible, especially due to the chaos generated by the mud, having to get off the bike, and then there was also a bad, unlucky fall," said the Danish champion. "When I finally managed to find my rhythm, I felt that my legs were turning well, I pushed hard and made a good comeback. The sensations, in the end, are very positive, also looking ahead to the next commitments."

Gustav Heby Pedersen and Elian Paccagnella can also smile, finishing the elite race in 6th and 9th place respectively. These two placements earn them 2nd and 3rd place in the U23 classification.

Attention now shifts to South Africa, where in a few hours Luca Braidot and Simone Avondetto will begin their new experience at the Cape Epic, an 8-day race through the wildest nature of the African country.