Italy world gold in women's pursuit
At the Velódromo Peñalolén in Santiago, Chile, where the’2025 edition of the Track Cycling World Championships, the Italian women’s pursuit quartet, in whose composition Martina Fidanza, Federica Venturelli, Vittoria Guazzini, Martina Alzini and Chiara Consonni took turns in the various rounds, won the gold medal by beating Germany in the final and making an encore after the historic first triumph in 2022. Bronze went to Great Britain against Belgium.
“We are a very cohesive group: even if the components change, the result does not change. The great thing about this national team is that all of us are useful, but no one is indispensable – says Martina Alzini -. The second title seemed perhaps easier after the first round, but in my opinion it was a very exciting tournament. It’s not me saying it: the times said it. There were three teams clearly superior to the others, and getting the best time in qualifying gave us a big hand for the first round and then for the final.”
“The track is my heart – adds Vittoria Guazzini – The road has its charm and I would like to take some satisfaction there too, but I have to thank the team because they never said no to me: they know that the track is good for me mentally as well. One look, not even needing to understand the pedaling of the one in front, is enough to know how we are. All this makes the victory even more special”.
“In the individual I have less of a podium chance because I still have to grow so much. But I will try to do the best I can and come home with a performance that makes me happy, in terms of numbers and as a personal challenge,” Federica Venturelli continued. The Italian women made the best time in the qualifying round, then clearly beat Australia in the elimination round and, in the very final, the Germans, by a margin of 388 thousandths.
“Our girls did very well – the satisfaction of the coach, Marco Villa – we have a young group: the inclusion of Venturelli, in her first quartet, was important. Yesterday 3’09”, today 4’09” and world title. She is an interesting addition, along with Guazzini, Fidanza, Alzini and Consonni, who are young but already experienced. At home we also have Balsamo and Paternoster, so we look forward to the future, Olympic qualification and then, of course, the Olympics”.
