Team relay, Italy off the podium

World Cycling Championships, results

Fifth place for Italy in the team relay, road test won by Switzerland. The Italian sextet recorded a time of 55’36”, +1:17.01 from the Swiss. Silver to France (+7.08), bronze to Germany (+51.31). Unlucky Italy, which ran well but was penalized by the mechanical problem that Silvia Persico had. Mattia Cattaneo, Alberto Bettiol and Manlio Moro were second among the men, then in the women’s Letizia Paternoster, Silvia Persico and Alessia Vigilia, who stopped 29″ from the podium.

Silvia Persico: “Despite everything I had good feelings today, it was a dress rehearsal ahead of Sunday’s race. I’m sorry for the lost medal because we wanted it and especially for the guys who did a great test. I tried to give my best, unfortunately the mechanical problem slowed me down but I tried to keep calm because I knew if I got nervous it would only be worse. I’m sorry, but I remain happy with the feeling I had today.”

Letizia Paternoster: “I was really unlucky, I punctured after a few kilometers. I am disappointed and sorry. Tomorrow I run the Omnium and I hope to do well.”

Alessia Vigilia: “I’m sorry for Silvia’s mechanical failure because it made us lose a bit, but that’s how it went. The course erqa very technical for my characteristics, I tried to give my best and hold on, the feelings are good and let’s look positively to Thursday.”

Mattia Cattaneo: “I had good feelings for Saturday’s test, I would like to enter the top 10. I came here with nothing to lose, a lot to learn and a lot of desire to have fun, suffer and enjoy my first world championship. I have been working for many years to earn a place here, being here is already a great satisfaction.”