PICTURES HERE: Men Junior |Men Elite
Credits: Pierre Tyessot
BRITISH ATHLETE WINS GOLD IN TRIALS 26 AFTER COMING TO VAL DI SOLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE
JR NICOLAS VALLEE CLINCHES GOLD AND SAVES FRENCH HONOUR ITALIAN ATHLETE PORCARIO IS 7TH
VERMIGLIO (VAL DI SOLE – TRENTINO), 3 SEPTEMBER 2016 – British Jack Carthy (Elite) and French Nicolas Vallee (Juniors) are the new UCI World Champions in Trials 26”. Carthy clearly dominated the final comprising six riders: he got only 8 penalty points in the two laps across the 5 sections, compared to the 25 penalty points of French Gilles Coustellier, and 26 of Belgium’s Kenny Belaey, bronze. In the final ranking, Italian Diego Bani (Elite 26”) from Bergamo is 22nd.
Carthy raced in Trentino at his own expense. He hadn’t even been selected to race with the national team and, possibly motivated by this unusual situation, he was able to overcome that mental block which hindered him in the final events, while reaching the top in the semifinals. This time he was able to reverse the situation and with an exorbitant start he left the two rivals for the podium far behind.
Gilles Coustellier did not make it twice to the highest step of the podium in Val di Sole. He was the protagonist of a proud race and the silver medal in Vermiglio 2016 well matches the gold clinched in 2008 World Championships. Belgium’s Belaey conquered a bronze which adds to a brilliant career enabling him to perform all over the world with juicy profits.
In the Juniors event, Nicolas Vallee saved the French honour, unable so far to gain individual victories after the gold in the team event. Silver went to the Spaniard Jordi Araque and silver to French Noah Cardona. Seventh Italy’s champion Giulio Porcario (Jr 26”) from Ivrea.
Great protagonist was again “Barzola”, the troll of the Val di Sole carved in a trunk by local artist Lino Mosconi, who welcomed the finalists to the start. His story used to frighten the naughty kids of the valley and today is one of the most spectacular obstacles of the final. With 2.50 metres of height, it gave a hard time to competitors trying to avoid penalties. But despite its threatening expression, it did not frighten them. The brand new Trials park built in record time by the Committee headed by Aldo Bordati, on the plain with the lakes and the river. This stunning racecourse has been created using all the natural resources available: wood, rocks, ponds and streams. The race course is also characterized by a two pieces of artwork: the Trentinopitch reminds of a huge Shanghai game, with the trunks instead of the sticks, and a series of carvings which replace the colours of the Chinese game; and the “Barzola” troll. The second section was created with the giant letters forming the name Val di Sole. In the middle there are two more sections called Adamello Ski Ponte di Legno Tonale and Hde - Hydro Dolomiti Energia, consisting of huge rocks and a turbine for the production of hydroelectric energy. The last section consists of hand painted concrete structures.
Tomorrow the 2016 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials Val di Sole will move from Vermiglio to Commezzadura where next week-end the Elite 4X and Downhill titles will be awarded. Tomorrow on the legendary Black Snake in Daolasa the Downhill race will end the Masters World Championships.
Alberto Penasa - Azienda Turismo Val di Sole
Viale Marconi, 7 - 3827 - Malè - (TN)
Tel. +39.0463.900863 - Fax +39.0463.901563
www.valdisole.net - penasa.a@valdisole.net
