In his debut year in the Under-23 category, little was expected of Pietro Cao: basically, to gain experience at this new level and continue the progress he had already shown the previous year—when, as a junior, he was part of the Italian squad at the European Championships (narrowly missing the podium in the short track event); and then, of course, graduating from high school, a major milestone for any 18-year-old.

Yesterday, however, the rider from Cordignano (in the province of Treviso) enjoyed the satisfaction of winning the Italian Championship in the XC Eliminator specialty. Racing on the Lamosano di Chies d'Alpago course, the Trinx Factory Team rider dominated the qualifying rounds and the semifinal, and in the afternoon he asserted his dominance in the final as well, beating Giovanni Zago, Paolo Costa, and Cristian Bernardi on the home straight.

«It was a stressful day in a discipline that forces you to stay in race mode from the morning qualifiers right through to the race itself», said Cao after the awards ceremony. «However, it was worth it, as I’m taking home the first Italian title of my career. It’s a moment I won’t easily forget, and this national title allows me to look to the future with optimism. We did our homework well, so I hope to achieve more success, both in upcoming races and at school, where I have my final oral exam on July 1st».

In the Eliminator discipline, however, Cao is already a professor; his 2026 record boasts two victories in Eliminator Tour rounds and a podium finish at the Italian leg of the MTB Eliminator Series, held in late May in Pieve di Soligo.

Following the Italian road championships, Giorgia Pellizotti was also seen back in the Trinx Factory Team jersey, finishing fourth in the women's final, a competition won by specialist Gaia Tormena.

Today, the young rider from Treviso will have another opportunity to get back into the groove of off-road racing. Giorgia is set to compete in the Alpago Bike Funtastic, a C1-class international competition, also held in Chies d’Alpago. Joining her in the competition will be Pietro Cao and Marco Bramati in the Open category, Alice Pascucci in the Women’s Open race, and U19 rider Thobias Del Ponte.

Meanwhile, Lucia Bramati and Laura Squarise are enjoying a week of active recovery after the two weeks of World Cup racing in Leogang and Lenzerheide. They are currently in Sestriere preparing for next week’s MTB World Series event in La Thuile.