XTERRA racing is back, with the first event kicking off on 5 June 2021 with an unmissable season opener at the XTERRA Short Track event in Lake Garda, Italy. The much-anticipated event will be available through a digital live feed, including an online highlights clip.
In a unique twist and in contrast to the Short Track course fans are accustomed to, this race brings a unique urban focus, with all of the action playing out in the centre of the beautiful town of Toscolano Maderno. Expect high speeds, narrow passages and manmade obstacles which will test the athletes and make for some of the most exciting racing yet.
“I think a race in the city centre with artificial obstacles could suit me even better and overall, I feel confident. I anticipate a very close and dramatic race and that is exactly what I enjoy about the Short Track format”, said men’s elite competitor, Lukas Kocar (CZE) who will be looking to build on his strong second-place finishes in both Short Track Molveno and Czech Republic last year.
Kocar will be joined in the men’s elite race by some of the best athletes in Europe, including Arthur Forissier (FRA) who has fond memories of Lake Garda after winning XTERRA Italy here back in 2019. Arthur Serrieres (FRA) who was the last athlete to top the podium in the Short Track series back in Molveno in 2020 will also be looking for a strong start to the season, with three-time XTERRA World Champion, Ruben Ruzafa (ESP) ready to battle it out for a top spot.
With a stacked start list, this race will be the perfect opportunity for athletes to showcase what they have been working on and test where their fitness is at after a tough year of limited racing in 2020 and as Ruzafa notes, there is everything to play for. “I think that Serrieres and Forrisier will be the strongest guys because of their experience and past results. But I think it is all unknown as each country has experienced different circumstances during the pandemic and each triathlete has therefore faced different challenges so maybe we can look forward to some big surprises out on the course in Lake Garda.”
The competitors in the Women’s Elite Race are also ready to make the most of a return to racing and leave it all out there on the racecourse. Sandra Mairhofer (ITA) spoke of her excitement ahead of the race in June: “There are so many strong girls out there in the XTERRA world who are hungry after this strange year. Every race is an opportunity for me to give my best and in the end, we will see who will be at the top. I can’t tell you who will cross the finish line first but for sure we will fight for the win and have fun out there.”
Mairhofer has enjoyed a strong start to the season after dominating the World Triathlon Winter Championships in Andorra in March but she will face impressive talent as she toes the line with athletes such as reigning ITU Cross Triathlon World Champion, Eleanora Peroncini (ITA), as well as an experienced Carina Wasle (AUT) and Loanne Duvoisin (SUI).
Duvoisin, who is currently the highest European athlete on the XTERRA World Ranking in 7th place, commented: “Since the Short Track in Czech Republic, I have set myself the goal to improve my technical level and I hope that my work will pay off. I am really looking forward to finally racing again. I had time to work a lot during this special year and the form should be there.”
A race not to be missed by fans and competitors alike as the elite athletes battle it out in Lake Garda and kick their XTERRA season off in style.
LiveStreaming
XTERRA Italy Lake Garda Elite Men
XTERRA World Ranking / Name, NAT
3 – ARTHUR SERRIERES (FRA)
4 – RUBEN RUZAFA CUETO (ESP)
10 – ARTHUR FORISSIER (FRA)
13 – JENS ROTH (DEU)
15 – LUKAS KOCAR (CZE)
19 – FRANCOIS CARLONI (FRA)
27 – BRICE DAUBORD (FRA)
31 – FILIPPO BARAZZUOL (ITA)
45 – THEO DUPRAS (FRA)
76 – RICCARDO RIDOLFI (ITA)
93 – GAËTAN VIVIEN (FRA)
107 – MATEO BOZZATO (ITA)
125 – VOJTECH BEDNARSKY (CZE)
156 – ANDREA ZANENGA (ITA)
245 – MARCO RINALDI (ITA)
NR – FREDERICO SPINAZZE (ITA)
NR – MICHELE BONACIA (ITA)
NR – SAMUELE BERNO (ITA)
NR – PIETRO SANTINI (ITA)
NR – FRANCO PESAVENTO (ITA)
NR – JOSEF TREBO (ITA)
NR – NICOLO RUGGERO (ITA)
NR – MATTEO SFREGOLA (ITA)
XTERRA Italy Lake Garda Elite Women
XTERRA World Ranking / Name, NAT
7 – LOANNE DUVOISIN (SUI)
12 – CARINA WASLE (AUT)
14 – SANDRA MAIRHOFER (ITA)
15 – MARTA MENDITTO (ITA)
18 – ELEANORA PERONCINI (ITA)
27 – JINDRISKA ZEMANOVA (CZE)
45 – MARIA CALLEJA (ESP)
66 – SÉGOLÈNE LEBERON (FRA)
71 – SOLENNE BILLOUIN (FRA)
226 – KATJA KRENN (AUT)
233 – LYSON DUMONT (FRA)
NR – MARTINA STANCHI (ITA)
NR – NICOLE RAO (ITA)
NR – ALESSIA ORLA (ITA)
NR – IRENE BALLOTA
NR – EMMA FESTA (ITA)
NR – SOFIA CLAVIO (ITA)
NR – MATILDE DAL MAS (ITA)
NR – DEIDE DIEDERICK (NLD)
About XTERRA Short Track
XTERRA Short Track is a short course race concept that debuted in Czech Republic in 2019. An elite-only event where athletes have to qualify during the full distance event or in a preliminary short track race to claim the best starting position in the final grid. The course is made up of a 2 lap 400m swim with an Australian exit, a very technical 4 lap 6km bike circuit littered with jumps, rock gardens, root-infested single track and a couple of flat-out pedaling sections. The run will then be contested over 2 laps using a slightly shortened course.
The 2021 XTERRA Short Track series will feature 4 races in Italy, Czech Republic, Germany and France. The biggest advantage of this format is that athletes race multiple laps on a very tight course which makes it perfect for live TV coverage and a thrilling atmosphere for live spectators.
All 4 Short Track events will be streamed live on TriathlonLive.tv, Facebook and other online platforms.
Photo credits: Carel du Plessis / XTERRA
