It was their first official outing in the Trinx Factory Team jersey, and they didn't disappoint. Under-23s Laura Squarise and Antonia Grangl were among the standouts in Verona, home to the second stage of the Italia Bike Cup circuit.

The 21-year-old from Alessandria, already in the top 10 last year in Verona, finished seventh overall in the women's race, the best Under 23 finisher. Confirming the solidity of Laura's performance is the name of the athlete who finished behind her: the vice france champion Loana Lecomte. Memorable debut also for Antonia Grangl (born in 2007): the austrian biker surged ahead of highly regarded and far more experienced athletes, grabbing tenth place overall and third place among the athletes in her category. Remaining in the Under 23 category, the other debutant in the category, the italian Alice Pascucci, placed 26th overall and 16th in the separate standings.

In the women's race, however, the first Trinx Factory Team athlete to cross the finish line was elite Lucia Bramati, who finished fourth. While Austrian Laura Stigger proved uncatchable, Lucia battled for a spot on the podium with Denmark's Pedersen and her peer Sara Cortinovis, confirming that she has emerged from the demanding winter cyclocross season in good shape.

Among those who competed in cross-country season were the two Under 23s from Luca Bramati's team: Pietro Cao and Marco Bramati, who competed in the Open race won by Filippo Fontana.

Pietro, born in 2007, competed in the Open race, finishing 45th overall, 24th among the U23s. Marco Bramati also battled at every turn, finishing 68th.

It was also a real battle for Flavio Dispensa and Thobias Del Ponte, who competed in the highly attended junior race, which saw 140 athletes at the start. In the end, Flavio Dispensa finished 17th, while first-year Del Ponte, who finished second a week ago in Montecchio Maggiore, finished 42nd.

«I never thought I'd be commenting on results like this», admitted sports director Luca Bramati. «The girls performed very well, performing at a level I never would have imagined. I'm especially surprised by the Under 23s Laura Squarise and Antonia Grangl: despite their placings, their performances impressed me. In the men's race, we know we have a young team, with two athletes in their first year in the category: they'll have to get used to competing, especially in races with such a large starting list, where they'll often start at the back of the pack».

The Trinx Factory Team will also be in Verona tomorrow: on Sunday Zoe Del Ponte will take part in the race reserved for the U17 girls at 11:30 am.