Legs were needed, given the characteristics of the track; shape was foundamental too, considering the presence of the best athletes in the world; and,because of the rain fall in the eve, athletes had to put their whole heart into the roots and the Swiss stones.

And Lucia Bramati displayed these qualities,finishing the Under 23 World Championships in 21^st place. The 22-year-old, in her second world championship in this category, did what she had to:a wonderful first lap that allowed her to cross for the first time the finish line in ninth place, a mid-race session with the top 15, while in the final two laps the italian biker (in the photo by Maxime Schmid)managed to use her last bit of energy, finishing 21st,just 2" off the top 20. For Lucia, the best result in a World Championship, to which we must add the 23rd place last Tuesday in the short track.

«A wonderful week, both for the atmosphere in the national team and for the emotions of today's race», says a radiant Lucia Bramati. «I started with determination, convinced of what I had to do; although I lost a few positions towards in the final laps, I always stayed focused. In short, I gave all out and I welcome the result».

This result was achieved on a track made more treacherous by the rain that fell during the night.

«On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, we did the trainig sections on a fast, dusty course; but we knew the rain would ruin it. In the end, I preferred it that way, even though we obviously had to be more careful on the descents».

The World Championships open the last month of the season for Lucia and the Trinx Factory Team, with the last three World Cup rounds.

«In two days, we're leaving for Lenzerheide, then a week at home and then off again to America,where we'll race in Lake Placid in the first week of October and in Mont Sainte Anne, Canada,from the 9th to the 12th. My goal? To earn the points we need to secure a spot among the top 100 athletes in the world, a crucial placement for next season and the promotion to the Elite ranks».