On the face of Mont-‐Gelé, Italians Mattéo Eydallin and Damiano Lenzi pick up the world title in the team race. For the women, Axelle Mollaret and Laetitia Roux of France come top.
The organisers of the World Championships in Verbier, Val de Bagnes had promised an exceptional race. It was magical. The athletes enjoyed it, and the public too. The wonder of these fabulous World Championships continued.
Imperial Italians
Mattéo Eydallin and Damiano Lenzi took home the coveted title for Italy. Winners of the Pierra Menta, the Tour du Rutor and the Patrouille des Glaciers in 2014, they proved themselves again. From the first few metres, they had set a steady rhythm. They kept it right to the end. « We wanted this title, » commented Damiano Lenzi, winner of last year’s World Cup. « It was the only one we were missing, » added his team-‐mate Mattéo Eydallin. He went on : « The conditions were perfect today. Damion and I were in perfect harmony. »
Frenchmen Xavier Gachet and William Bon Mardion finished in 2nd place. « We started out
cautiously, » admitted Xavier. « As the race went on, we edged forward. We are delighted to have won silver. » Italy’s Robert Antonioli and Michele Boscaci took bronze. Valentin Favre and Didier Blanc of France came fourth, just missing out on a medal.
High-‐profile Swiss
The Swiss CAS Team had 4 teams lined up. Haut-‐Valaisan Martin Anthamatten and Bernois Werner Marti came in 5th. « It’s a good result, » said Anthamatten. « We put in a steady performance. We were in perfect unison. »
In the final World Championship race of his career, Florent Troillet finished a respectable 10th alongside his friend Marcel Marti. « It feels great to finish here at home, on this fabulous course, » said an emotional Florent Troillet at the finishing line. « The conditions have been exceptional for this World Championships. The weather has been on our side, the snow conditions are excellent and the spectators bring enormous support. Now I’m going to take it a bit easy. I’ll still be there for the team races, especially the Pierra Menta. »
Steven Girard and Baptiste Spicher from Fribourg came in an encouraging 13th. Alan Tissières and Marcel Theux from Valais came 14th after a smoothly handled race. « We both had moments where we eased off, » explained Alan Tissières. His team-‐mate added : « It’s a real pleasure to take part in these World Championships at home. Thank you to the organisers. »
Race results are online on ISMF website