The elite tricolour jersey in cyclocross is back on the shoulders of Filippo Fontana of C.S. Carabinieri Olympia. At the Italian Championships in Brugherio, our leading athlete showcased all his class with a flawless performance, securing the third elite national title of his career.
Coming off a series of top-level races in Belgium, Fontana made perfect use of his carefully prepared form, riding at a pace that proved untouchable for the rest of the field and leading his faithful Olympia Challenge to victory.
The race was decided early on. Already on the second lap, Fontana made his move, gradually building a gap that his rivals were never able to close. Always in the lead, with no drop in intensity, he rode solo to the finish line. Behind him, Ceolin and Bertolini completed the podium.
“It’s been a demanding winter, but everything has gone really well so far,” said Filippo Fontana. “I want to thank the team that supported me over these months, including abroad. During the Christmas period in Belgium I raced seven times, from Antwerp on December 20 to Zonhoven on January 4. It was a real tour de force that allowed me to put an important training block into my legs and gain a huge boost of motivation, because in the North cyclocross is truly a religion.”
This is the seventh Italian title for the rider from Treviso: he won in the elite category in 2023 and 2024, in the under-23 category in 2021, among juniors in 2017 and 2018, and among youth riders in 2016.
This winter, Filippo also claimed victory at the international cyclocross races in Faè di Oderzo, Mugello, Salvirola and Monte Zoncolan.
“I knew the course quite well, as I had already tested it during course inspection, even in difficult conditions. Luckily, by race time the track had dried out,” Filippo explained. “There were several very technical sections, and I tried to take advantage of them. When I realised I could open up a gap, I kept pushing. In the final lap, with a solid advantage, I was finally able to realise what was happening and truly enjoy the moment.”
A victory that comes at the end of a complex season, but one built around a clear objective. “I really cared about this tricolour jersey. It’s been a long season, I invested a lot in cyclocross, and I believe this title is an important recognition.”
