Mondiali MTB: La Squadra Azzurra da 30 che Sogna la Storia in Trentino
Italy Announces 30-Rider Squad for Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole
The Big News in Simple Terms
Italy has picked its team for the Mountain Bike World Championships happening very soon in Val di Sole — a famous mountain biking destination in the Italian Alps. Think of it like the Olympics, but just for mountain biking!
The team has 30 riders total: 13 women and 17 men. They were chosen by three head coaches: Mirko Celestino, Nadia De Negri, and Simone Fabbri.
Meet the Star Riders
Cross-Country (XCO) Standouts
These riders race up and down mountains on lightweight bikes — like a trail run on two wheels!
| Rider | Why They’re Special |
|---|---|
| Simone Avondetto | Silver medalist at last year’s World Championships in XCO |
| Martina Berta | Won Team Relay silver last year |
| Valentina Corvi | Double medalist last year: Team Relay silver PLUS XCO Under-23 bronze |
| Juri Zanotti | Part of the Team Relay silver squad |
IMPORTANT POINT
Valentina Corvi is the only rider who won two different medals at the last World Championships — making her one to watch closely!
Downhill (DH) Dominators
These riders race straight down steep, technical tracks as fast as possible — think roller coaster without the tracks!
Fresh off dominating the European Championships last week, the downhill squad includes:
| Rider | Category | European Result |
|---|---|---|
| Gloria Scarsi | Women Elite | Gold (European Champion) |
| Loris Revelli | Men Elite | Gold (European Champion) |
| Veronika Widmann | Women Elite | Silver |
| Stefano Introzzi | Men Elite | Silver |
| Filippo Gilardino | Junior Men | Silver |
IMPORTANT POINT
The downhill team arrives with major momentum — they just swept the European Championships days ago!
What Happens When?
Follow this simple timeline:
-
Tuesday, August 25 → Opening Ceremony
The official start with team parades, speeches, and excitement! - Wednesday, August 26 → First Gold Medals Awarded
- Morning/afternoon: Individual races begin
- 5:00 PM (17:00) → Team Relay — a super fun mixed-gender relay race where each country fields a team of 6 riders (3 men, 3 women) doing short laps
Why Val di Sole Matters
Val di Sole isn’t just any location — it’s called "the world home of off-road cycling."
Think of it like:
- Madison Square Garden for basketball
- Wembley Stadium for soccer
- Val di Sole for mountain biking
It hosts World Cup races almost every year. The trails are legendary, technical, and spectacular.
Summary
- 30 Italian riders (13 women, 17 men) selected for MTB World Championships
- Event starts August 25 in Val di Sole, Italy
- Cross-country stars include last year’s medalists Avondetto, Berta, Corvi, Zanotti
- Downhill squad comes in hot after dominating European Championships
- First medals on August 26, including the exciting Team Relay at 5 PM
- Val di Sole = spiritual home of mountain bike racing
FAQ
What’s the difference between XCO and Downhill?
XCO (Cross-Country Olympic) = riders climb and descend on a 4–6 km loop for ~1.5 hours. It tests endurance + technical skill.
Downhill = riders race one-at-a-time down a steep, rough 2–3 minute track. Pure speed + bravery + bike control.
What is the Team Relay?
Six riders per country (3 men, 3 women) each do one short lap (~2–3 minutes), tagging the next rider like a baton pass. Fast, chaotic, and super fun to watch!
Who are the coaches?
- Mirko Celestino → former pro, now elite coach
- Nadia De Negri → former Italian champion, women’s program leader
- Simone Fabbri → technical director for downhill
Can I watch it?
Yes! The event will be broadcast on Rai Sport (Italy) and UCI YouTube channel / Discovery+/GCN internationally. Check local listings.
Why does Valentina Corvi get special mention?
She’s the only double medalist from last year’s Worlds — silver in Team Relay and bronze in XCO Under-23. Rare versatility!