After two weeks the Verona Mtb International, tomorrow the Trinx Factory Team athletes will return on the Veronese trails to take part in the 2nd Pineta Sperane Xco, an international test hosted in San Zeno di Montagna, on the shores of Lake Garda.
The race, valid as Internazionali d’Italia Series first round, it will wind along the tracks on the slopes of Monte Baldo; in its start list the best interpreters of the cross country specialty, not only Italians.
«Also in the races in Verona and Albenga the start list was top level. Tomorrow will be another chance to compete with the best bikers and improve further our shape», explains Gioele Bertolini (in Alessio Pederiva’s photo). The athlete from Talamona, born in 1995, one of the veterans of the squad, since he has been defending the team colors since 2020. «I hope to feel the same sensations of the last two weeks: although the puncture on the first lap penalizing me, my time laps in Albenga was good».
Did you expect to be competitive after the cyclo-cross season?
«This year I took only a week off, during which I kept training softly. Mentally, I felt ready to throw me into the cross country season. I think the cyclo-cross workload is helping me in these first tests; so I hope to reach good results, starting from Saturday in San Zeno di Montagna».
How can you describe the route? And who will be the most dangerous rivals?
«The track is natural, but it is technical and demanding. After a fairly long first climb, the bikers will enter the sector to drive, where there are rock gardens, drops and jumps in which it is necessary to be precise and ride cleanly. Regarding the athletes to take care of, I know that Maxime Marotte and other superstrong bikers will be at the start. Until now we haven't raced against them, so it will be interesting to test our levels with theirs».
Even for your teammates the competition will be probative…
«The Xco level is rising a lot. I am lucky to compete in a team in which there are o mi ritengo fortunato perché sono in un team che può vantare first-level technical partners who guarantee us the best support. Furthermore, the squad is made up of a hard core formed by Eva Lechner, Lucia Bramati and Giorgia Marchet. Luca Bramati this year has included some U19, who are making their debut in the junior category. In the Trinx Factory Team they could grow calmly, testing themselves in the most important races, not only in Italy».
TRINX FACTORY TEAM LINE UP
In San Zeno di Montagna, the Trinx Factory Team will line up: Gioele Bertolini (Elite), Cristian Bernardi (U23), Eva Lechner and Giorgia Marchet (Elite), Lucia Bramati (U23), Valentina Corvi (Juniores), Marco Bramati, Daniele Corvi and Marco Guercilena (Juniores).
PINETA SPERANE XCO SCHEDULE
Saturday; 18th march
10:00 am – Men’s Juniores race
11:45 am – Women’s race (Elite, Under 23 and Juniores)
2:00 pm – Men’s Open race (Elite and U23)
