Elia Viviani from a scream: it’s gold!

Great performance by Elia Viviani

Crazy performance by Elia Viviani who, just hours after the disappointment in the road race, managed to win gold in the elimination. “The road race didn’t go the way we wanted,” said the Veronese champion immediately after the success, “that’s why I confronted with the technicians and told myself to try.

“I wanted to give Italy and this fantastic group a jersey because they deserve it for what they have done in these days. And then I wanted to race, at least for one last time, with the world champion’s jersey. In a few months this jersey will be back up for grabs at the World Championships in Paris…I couldn’t not show it off.”

The final sprint, which thrilled the German crowd in attendance, was right up against local favorite Theo Reinhardt. “I actually feared more the Belgian Hesters (later third, ed.). Once he was out of the picture, I was sure to beat him.” With today’s two medals, the total haul of the Italian expedition at these European Championships rises to 7 medals, including one gold, three silver and three bronze medals and the fourth position in the medal table.