Braidot and Rissveds: top names celebrate in Capoliveri

The Italian rider back to winning ways at Internazionali d’Italia Series after 10 years. The 2016 Olympic Champion celebrates on her season debut. Switzerland rules in the JR races thanks to Binz and Halter

When you come to a testing ground like the one of Capoliveri Legend XCO, you can’t win by chance. You need strength, explosivity, endurance, and technical skills.

Luca Braidot (Team Santa Cruz-FSA) and Jenny Rissveds (Team 31) certainly didn’t miss any of those elements, writing their name on the golden book of the Internazionali d’Italia Series stage 3, on Monday, April 18th in Capoliveri (Elba Island, Tuscany).

It was the most expected riders who deserved the ovation of the many fans who reached Elba Island to enjoy a major MTB show, on a day in which the weather also contributed in the best of ways.

The day’s outcome clearly results from the smile of Maurizio Melis, the President of ASD Capoliveri Bike Park: an event panned out to perfection on the Easter weekend, and a special atmosphere shared by the over 1.000 riders who took the start in the various categories.

BRAIDOT’S SUPREMACY AMONG OPEN MEN
Luca Braidot came back to winning ways at Internazionali d’Italia Series after 10 years thanks to a show of force. In the Men’s Open race, the Team Santa Cruz rider dominated from start to finish, soloing on the finish line ahead of Italian national Champion Nadir Colledani (MMR Factory Team) and Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Pirelli).

Braidot unleashed his attack in the first lap, gaining a solid advantage on the rivals. Avondetto tried to hold up behind Braidot, but he has never been able to put pressure on the leader.

In lap 6, Avondetto’s action was interrupted by a fall without consequences. The Wilier-Pirelli rider managed to defend the top-3 from the assault of Swiss Andri Frischknecht (Scott-Sram), but he was overtaken by Nadir Colledani. In the meantime, Braidot controlled the situation crossing the finish line with a 43” advantage on Colledani and 1’02” on Avondetto.

“I started strong, but Avondetto didn’t give up. Then, he made a mistake and I managed to keep the situation under control. Now, the Internazionali d’Italia Series General Classification becomes a goal: I want to take this jersey home”, said Braidot.

Braidot and Colledani are tied atop the overall standings with 140 points ahead of U23 leader Filippo Fontana (130).

RISSVEDS QUEEN IN THE WOMEN’S RACE
Jenny Rissveds confirmed the eve’s predictions, edging the Open Women’s competition. The 2016 Olympic Champion of Team 31 preceded on the finish line Internazionali d’Italia Series’ leader Giada Specia (Wilier-Pirelli) and the series’ defending champion Chiara Teocchi (Trinity Racing), who was second one year ago.

Rissveds tried to impose her pace in the first lap, but lap 3 made the difference with the forcing of the Swedish Champion, Teocchi and Specia. Behind the leaders, South Tyroleans Lechner (Team Trinx) and Seiwald (Santa Crus) led the chase.

In lap 4, Eva Lechner increased her pace to follow the three leaders outdistancing Seiwald, but Teocchi, Rissveds and Specia maintained the gap ahead of the last three laps.

Rissveds launched the resolutive attack in the penultimate lap, putting her opponents on the back foot. Giada Specia tried to contain the impressive action of the Olympic Champion, but she had to settle for second place. Chiara Teocchi claimed the third position.

“It went well, it was a very demanding race, Chiara and Giada were racing super hard. I had to go very strong to stay together with them”, said Jenny Rissveds. – “The Elba Island is beautiful, and I will return, even if only for training”.

JUNIOR MEN: BINZ GIVES SWITZERLAND ANOTHER WIN IN CAPOLIVERI
Internazionali d’Italia Series’ schedule had started with a thrilling head-to-head in the Men’s Junior race. A Swiss rising star celebrated in the Elba Island for the second year in a row: after Nils Aebersold in the 2021 edition, Yanick Binz (Bike Team Solothurn) raised his arms on the finish line of the Men’s Junior race.

The Swiss rider preceded Internazionali d’Italia Series’ leader Marco Betteo (Scott Racing) after a tight duel. Betteo consolidated his lead in the overall standings, as Carlo Cortesi (KTM-Protek) completed the day’s podium.

In the final lap, Binz and Betteo unleashed the decisive attempt on the most demanding climb of the circuit. After completing the fast downhill, Binz preceded Betteo in a thrilling finale characterized by continuous overtakings.

JUNIOR WOMEN: SWISS HALTER WINS, CORVI NEW LEADER
Switzerland also claimed the JR Women race in Capoliveri with Monique Halter. The Swiss National Team rider soloed on the finish line preceding Italian Valentina Corvi (Trinx Factory Team). The San Zeno di Montagna’s winner has regained the overall leadership, whilst another Swiss rider, Lea Huber, completed the day’s podium.

Capoliveri (Italy), April 18th, 2022