ANADIA (POR) – She had already shown an excellent shape yesterday, contributing to the conquest of the bronze medal in the team relay with her teammates of the Italian national team.
And today Valentina Corvi confirmed her feeling with the Anadia track by winning the individual Cross Country race and graduating as the European junior mtb champion.
For the biker from Tirano (on the podium, in the picture by Federciclismo.it), used to wearing the tricolor jerseys both in cross country, short track and cyclocross, this is the first European title in her career. Not that Valentina hadn't already done well on a continental level, as evidenced by silver medal at the cyclo-cross European Championships in Namur in winter 2022/2023 and the recent success in the Uci Junior Series in La Thuile.
«But this title has a special taste», confirms the biker directed by the sports director Luca Bramati. «I knew that my shape was good and that I could have fought for a medal, but in a fast race like the Portuguese one, nothing was taken for granted».
Track on which Valentina Corvi already ended in forth position last year.
«Fast, with many violent raises but without a long climb on which to make a selection. An effort similar to that of cyclo-cross races, with a selection from behind and a leading group, initially with ten athletes, who gradually became more and more small. In the end there were three of us: me, the Austrian Katrin Embacher and the German Carla Hahn, with whom I fought for the victory».
Victory at the European Championship that seemed unimaginable, after the physical problems she had at the Capoliveri Legend three months ago.
«We were wise at recovering, without pressure and then focusing on the pivotal part of the season. Even though I didn't race a lot, I had excellent feeling during my training sessions; so I came to Portugal with great confidence. Now I will focus on the Italian championships on July 22nd and then we will work with the national team for the World Championships».
In addiction to Valentina Corvi’s gold medal, the Trinx Factory Team placed two athletes in the top 5 at the Alpago Bike Funtastic, the Internazionali d'Italia Series circuit last round: already protagonists yesterday at the Italian Short Track Championship, also in today's race Gioele Bertolini and Eva Lechner they finished in fourth and fifth place respectively.
