European march team, double silver

Italy, results

Two medals for Italy over the 35 kilometers in the European team march championships, both silver. In Podebrady, Czech Republic, the Italian teams placed second with a convincing collective effort. Among women, Federica Curiazzi shines again, fourth as at last summer’s European Championships in Munich, with a personal best of 2h49:39 that is worth the standard for the upcoming World Championships in Budapest (Aug. 19-27). Nicole Colombi is also at her best, in fifth with her record of 2h52:13 finally grasping a result of international value, and the embrace after the finish between the two Bergamasque women is emotional. At the finish line Sara Vitiello from Reggio Emilia came 16th (3h01:18), gritting her teeth in the final and completing the result of the Italian team, second at 25 points followed by Ukraine (30), Lidia Barcella withdrew instead. Spain’s Maria Perez triumphs and signs a new world record in 2h37:15 to surpass Peru’s Kimberly Garcia’s recent 2h37:44, set March 25 in Dudince. Gold for Spain also in the team (6 points), all Iberian the individual podium where Raquel Gonzalez (2h45:42) and Cristina Montesinos (2h45:58) ascend.

On the men’s side in the spotlight was Sardinian Andrea Agrusti, fifth in a remarkable rise with 2h30:16, and 23-year-old Riccardo Orsoni from Cremona, who improved markedly and was sixth in 2h30:38. Also decisive for the Italian lineup’s result was Piedmont’s Stefano Chiesa, in 12th place in 2h34:46 after giving up a couple of positions in the final, while Marche’s Michele Antonelli was 17th with 2h38:06. The Azzurri won silver with 23 points behind the 12 of Spain dragged by Alvaro Martin, master of the race to impose himself in 2h25:35, but ahead of the 33 of Germany fielding Christopher Linke, second in 2h27:05 to precede the other Iberian Miguel Angel Lopez (2h27:33) and Frenchman Aurélien Quinion (2h29:32).