The 2022 European Cross Country Championships in Anadia (Portugal) end in the best way, with the victory in the men’s under 23 race of Simone Avondetto. The Piedmontese is, therefore, the new European champion XCO Under 23, a success that came in the style of Avondetto: a poor start and then a hellish pace for all other rivals, to end with his arms raised alone. A success that once again demonstrates the great skills of Simone, a true rising star of Italian mountain biking on the international scene.
SILVER ITALY IN THE MEDALS BEHIND SWITZERLAND
Simone Avondetto’s gold medal brings the Italian team to second place in the medal of this European Championship. The Blues return home with 2 golds (Avondetto and Tormena) 2 payment (Team relay I Marchet at the XCC) and 1 bronze (Special). Thanks to Simone we overtook the Netherlands who had overtaken us at the end of the women’s race.
THE ROUND TO ROUND RACE
This U23 continental championship has always been done on a dry track, a fast and very modern course. For the boys there were 7 laps plus the very fast throw. In the race for the Azzurri there was only Simone Avondetto, the only under 23 brought to Portugal by Mirko Celestino. Filippo Fontana also had to run but stayed in Milan because he was not well.
FIRST TIME
Immediately after the return leg, Janis Baumann, a Swiss who plays for the Wilier Pirelli Factory Team, goes on the attack, followed by Englishman Charlie Aldridge, while Simone Avondetto, who as always does not start very strong, was in third place.
SECOND TIME
Baumann always leads the dance, but Avondetto quickly climbs to second with Aldridge third in obvious trouble.
THIRD WHEEL
Avondetto succeeded and advanced on Baumann. At that time the Piedmontese was ahead by 8 seconds over his clubmate.
FOURTH BOARD
Under the finish line flag, Avondetto still passed in first place, with Janis Baumann behind by 16 seconds, while Aldridge passed after 24 seconds.
FIFTH WHEEL
Avondetto was extended, bringing their lead over Baumann to 23 seconds, while in third place Swiss Dario Lillo returned to Aldridge, the two were 1’16 “behind Avondetto.
SIXTH ROUND
Avondetto’s lead remained unchanged, always 25 “above Baumann, but who came back strong was Charlie Aldridge, who picked up the pace and reached 10” from Baumann, disengaging Dario Lillo who always went keep 1’22 “from the lead.
LAST TIME
OR! Simone Avondetto is the new European XCO champion! Despite the incredible comeback of Charlie Aldridge, who was second just 10 “from the winner, then after recovering well 1 ‘in the last 2 laps, Avondetto resisted and passed under the banner with his arms raised Third place for Jannis Baumannpassed right in the final Charlie Aldridge. Fourth place for the Spaniard David Campos and fifth for Dario Lillo, who on the eve was given as one of the possible winners.
THE STATEMENT BY SIMONE AVONDETTO
“It was a beautiful day, a very hard race, I managed to leave in the second lap and I immediately made a difference by gaining a good margin. Then the last two laps I kept the pace high, I saw the others couldn’t come back and I took the victory. The penultimate lap I felt the effort, but in the end I managed to keep the difference although I must say that the last lap I did it with determination. I’m super happy with this shirt and I dedicate it to everyone who has followed me, my team and my family. “
ARRIVAL UNDER 23 (58 HOME)
1 Simone Avondetto | Italy 01:15:12
2 Charlie Aldridge | Great Britain +10 ”
3 Janis Baumann | Switzerland +21 ”
4 David Campos | Spain +1 ’01’ ‘
5 Dario Lillo | Switzerland +1 ’12’ ‘
6 Francesc Barber | Spain +1 ’20’ ‘
7 Alexandre Balmer | Switzerland +2 ’03’ ‘
8 Leon Kaiser | Germany +2 ’07’ ‘
9 Oscar Lind | Sweden +2 ’07’ ‘
10 Luke Wiedmann Switzerland +2 ’10’ ‘
THE MEDAL HOLDER
Switzerland 3 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze
Italy 2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze
Holland 2 gold, 2 silver
Great Britain, 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze
Great Britain, Czech Republic 1 gold, 1 bronze
Denmark, Slovenia 1 gold
Spain, Slovakia, Portugal 1 silver
Sweden 2 bronze
Germany 2 bronze
Romania, Poland 1 bronze