It's one of the most technical races on the international calendar: top-level athletes in every category, a very fast short track, and cross-country races with a high difficulty quotient amidst roots and rock gardens. It was in this scenario that the weekend of the third World Cup round began today, with the Trinx Factory Team participating with U23 Lucia Bramati, competing in the short track, and with juniors Giorgia Pellizotti, Alice Pascucci, and Pietro Cao, who raced in the U19 events valid for the UCI Junior Series.

Demonstrating the importance of experience, Lucia Bramati proved to be the best, managing to finish 19th in the adrenalinefueled U23 short track race. This result was built on a good start, a final lap where she set her best time, and in middle, a gritty performance, toe to toe with the other athletes. A tenacious performance that, while awaiting tomorrow's XCO race, places Lucia (in Maxime Schmid's photo) in tenth place in the World Cup standings.

A profitable trip for the 22-year-old Italian, as well as for the three athletes of the junior category, who in Nove Mesto experienced a complicated but decisive step in their growth path. Giorgia Pellizotti, who this season was getting used to be among the best both in cyclocross, in MTB and in her only appearance on the road, had her work cut out to tame the rock garden chickpeas in the presence of the best European specialists; for her in the end a 38th place and an experience on which to build the second part of the season.

In the same race, Alice Pascucci, who finished in 62nd position, improving on the result obtained in Nove Mesto twelve months ago; as she had already managed to do in Nalles, another Hors Categorie race in which the young woman from the Marche climbed the rankings.

Judging by the first three laps, Pietro Cao would also have been able to improve on the result obtained in Nove Mesto a year ago; unfortunately, a crash forced the athlete to retire when he was sailing around 40th position, compromised this goal.

Tomorrow the three young people of the team will change their clothes, becoming the fans of Lucia Bramati, who will be racing at 2:00 pm, and Sverre Van Lee who, at 4:00 pm, will compete among the Under 23s in the last race of the weekend in the Czech Republic.