UAE Team ADQ‘s successful season continues to gather momentum, with victories now spanning road, track and gravel racing. The latest national title comes courtesy of Erica Magnaldi, who claimed the Italian Gravel Championship in Artegna (Italy) at the GP Enzo Cainero.
Already the reigning European Gravel Champion after her victory in Avezzano last year, the Italian rider added another prestigious jersey to her collection by securing the national title with an outstanding solo performance.
Despite crossing the finish line alone, the race was anything but straightforward for the 33-year-old from Cuneo. Magnaldi spent more than 75 of the 80-kilometre course on the attack, constantly trying to distance her closest rival, Carlotta Borello (Team Cingolani Specialized).
The decisive move came on the final climb, around five kilometres from the finish, where Magnaldi finally managed to break clear. Borello, who also suffered a crash in the closing stages, finished second, 51 seconds behind, while Debora Piana (Fol Racing Team) completed the podium at 3:52.
Erica Magnaldi said: “The course didn’t really suit my characteristics. It was a short race, only 80 kilometres, with no long climbs and just 600 metres of elevation gain, so there weren’t many opportunities to make the difference. That’s why I decided to attack from kilometre zero and try to split the race on every short climb. The decisive moment came on the final ascent, about five kilometres from the finish, where I finally managed to open a gap. When I reached the top, I looked back and couldn’t see anyone behind me, so I just kept pushing all the way to the finish. I’m really happy to have won this jersey and the Italian title. It’s a great personal achievement for me.”
(ph. @error.johnny)
