Sunday, January 11, 2009

Franzoi Reclaims Italian Cross Title!

Wins Ahead Of Fontana In The Mud

Team Liquigas' Enrico Franzoi won today's Italian national cyclocross title after a year without the tricolore due to injury. Modena's Ferrari Park hosted the Italian cross star's race of redemption after being forced out in 2008 due to an ankle injury. The muddy conditions favored the Venetian rider, who typically is strong in the fango.

"I usually fly in the mud," proclaimed a happy Franzoi Sunday evening post-race. "I took off on the first lap and rode alone from there." Coming in second was Marco Aurelio Fontana, the young mountain biker who was fifth in last year's Olympic cross country race. Fontana will have something in common with Franzoi, as he will switch to the Cannondale Factory Racing Team for the 2009 mtb season. "I'll have to be careful of him next year - he's likely to be faster on a Cannondale!"

Franzoi will now head to Roubaix, but not to prepare for his favorite road race. The coming weekend is the World Cup race in Roubaix, followed by the Milan round and finally Franzoi's main goal of the season - the World Championships.

Posted by me at Cannondale.com.

So for my blog readers - I am psyched for Franzoi. He was super-pumped on the phone tonight. Here's hoping he has a killer result in the coming three races. I am, however presented with a bit of an issue for next 'cross season. The Fontana-Franzoi showdown should make for a nice bit of PR!

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