Eskil Evensen-Lie dominates in Norway to retain Marathon crown! Metallurgica Veneta grits its teeth at the Hero! While the legendary HERO Südtirol Dolomites in Italy delivered a grueling day of suffering and solid damage-control finishes, definitive season-defining news arrived from Norway: Eskil Evensen-Lie is once again the National Marathon Champion. Two races, two sides of an intense weekend for Metallurgica Veneta Professional Team. On the most critical front – the National Championships – came the confirmation that validates a whole season: Eskil Evensen-Lie claimed the Norwegian National XCM (Marathon) title for the second consecutive year, delivering a masterclass performance on the treacherous trails of Østmarka, just outside Oslo, during the OBOS Terrengsykkelrittet. The 31-year-old Oslo native, previously crowned in 2023 and 2025, brings his career tally to three national titles. He will proudly sport the prestigious champion’s jersey featuring the Norwegian flag for the remainder of the season and into 2027.
A wet weather Masterclass in Østmarka
Rain on Friday, overnight, and during the race itself made for highly technical and slick conditions. On a treacherous 60km course, Eskil wasted no time setting the record straight. Just twenty minutes in, he launched a decisive solo attack, consistently putting time into his chasers to take a commanding solo victory with a time of 3h 10’ 40”. Behind him, Ole Sigurd Rekdahl crossed the line in second, over 17 minutes back, while Tormod Weydahl rounded out the podium in third (+22’ 07”).
Eskil Evensen-Lie: “I felt incredible out there today and just thoroughly enjoyed my time on the bike. My Merida and all my gear worked flawlessly, and I’m super stoked to bring home another jersey for the team. Winning is always amazing, but earning the right to wear this jersey for another year in the biggest races in the world is a true privilege.”
A family affair with Norway: Norway continues to be a golden ground for Martino Tronconi’s squad. Back in 2024, at the very inception of the project, another Scandinavian powerhouse, Ole Hem, secured the national marathon title for the team. Today, Eskil reinforces the team’s DNA: from the fjords to the Dolomites, one shared spirit unites the squad.
Digging deep at the HERO Südtirol Dolomites
Concurretly, at the fourth round of the 2026 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup, the legendary HERO Südtirol Dolomites (starting and finishing in Selva Val Gardena) saw the team secure hard-fought, solid placements. The world-class event, which featured elite riders from 54 nations, was won by Spain’s David Valero Serrano and Italy’s Claudia Peretti. The Metallurgica Veneta Pro Team riders went toe-to-toe with an unforgiving and brutal course: 86 km with 4,500 meters of elevation gain for the men, and 60 km with 3,200 meters for the women. The team’s three contenders battled through setbacks and sheer exhaustion to bring home strong results:
- Diego Arias (15th Elite Men): The Colombian rider started strong and rode well within the Top 10 for a large portion of the race, pacing with the leaders and looking poised for a massive result. However, severe cramping struck at Canazei, hindering his performance in the final sectors. While he successfully mitigated the damage to hold his position, there is a hint of regret for a missed podium opportunity—though his determination to bounce back in the upcoming rounds remains untouched.
- Nicola Taffarel (36th Elite Men): Taffarel executed a calculated race strategy, managing his energy output on a course that punishes over-exertion. While the final result fell short of his high ambitions, he remains focused: “I’m going through a challenging stretch at the moment, but I’m grinding it out. Breaking through these physical blocks will only make me mentally stronger for the final part of the season.”
- Maria Zarantonello (14th Elite Women): It was a race of pure resilience for the Vicenza-native, who had to manage a nagging back injury from the very first climbs up the Pordoi pass. Fortunately, the discomfort proved more manageable than during the previous round in Andorra, allowing her to steady her rhythm without being overly restricted.
One team, one spirit
The weekend closes for Metallurgica Veneta Pro Team with contrasting results but a fiercely unified identity. While the Dolomites demanded the heavy toll of suffering and grit that only the HERO can extract, Northern Europe once again crowned its king. From the mud and rain of Østmarka to the brutal walls of Selva Val Gardena, the path forward is clear: the passion remains identical, the character unbroken, and the season is still long.
