During a training camp on the Elba Island, the Italian MTB National Team tested the course of Internazionali d’Italia Series stage 2, scheduled on April 5th
The history of Elba Island and Mountain Bike world goes almost 30 years back. In 1994, John Tomac and Ned Overend displayed a memorable duel in an XC World Cup round, in what was only the fourth season of the MTB World Cup.
Almost 27 years later, Capoliveri (Elba Island, Tuscany) is getting ready to live an outstanding all-around Mountain Bike season. Along with the MTB Marathon World Championships, to be held next October, the Elba Island will host an International Cross Country event: Capoliveri Legend XCO, 2nd stage of Internazionali d’Italia Series, a new UCI C.1 category event.
Scheduled on Easter Monday, April 5th, Capoliveri Legend XCO ix expecting many top-class athletes on the starting line. The circuit of Mount Calamita is very demanding from a technical standpoint. Under Team Coach Mirko Celestino’s guidance, the Italian Mountain Bike National selection seized the opportunity to discover the key points on the occasion of a pre-season training camp at the Elba Island, held from January 27th to February 7th.
Led by Luca Braidot and Martina Berta, the ‘Azzurri’ faced the 4-Km circuit characterized by 170 meters of elevation gain for each lap. The ASD Capoliveri has set up the course in collaboration with Enrico Martello.
“A technical and nervous circuit, with short ascents and steep descents. The race will be very competitive”, explained Italian National Champion Luca Braidot. “The course is fun, but leaves no chance for breathers”, said Martina Berta, runner-up at the 2019 Internazionali d’Italia Series behind Eva Lechner.
“Hosting one of the Internazionali d’Italia Series stages is the fulfillment of a project supported by the Elba Island Tourism Board and the Municipality of Capoliveri”, said OC President Maurizio Melis. – “The realization of a Cross Country circuit inside the Capoliveri BikePark completes our cycling offer. The route is challenging but not impossible, with many gradient changes and a characterizing view on the ancient mines”.
The new event is also part of the Elba Island Tourism Board’s strategy to highlight the territory’s vocation for cycling and its sustainable tourism offer. “Capoliveri’s landing into the Internazionali d’Italia Series circuit confirms the MTB attitude of our territory and represents a significant milestone – said the coordinator of the Elba Island Tourism Board Niccolò Censi. – On April 3rd, Capoliveri Legend XCO will kick off the Elba Sports Fest, that includes all the island’s sporting events, with international races and training, until October”.
Capoliveri Legend XCO’s schedule starts on Saturday, April 3rd, with the youth competitions, followed by the Internazionali d’Italia Series races (Junior, U23 and Elite), to be held on Monday, April 5th.
Verona (Italy), February 8th, 2021
