09 Jul Metallurgica Veneta MTB Pro Team at the Italian Marathon Championship
Chronicle of the Metallurgica Veneta MTB Pro Team at the Italian Marathon Championship
Rain, mud, and results: the Metallurgica Veneta MTB Pro Team leaves the Italian Marathon Championship with their heads held high.
The 2025 Italian Marathon Championships saw the team shine with impressive performances. Taffarel closed the gap after two years of retirement, Maria Zarantonello finished in the top five on the podium, and Billi regained her competitive edge. Massimo Rosa bids farewell with an emotional farewell.
In a race marred by torrential rain in the second half, the Metallurgica Veneta Pro MTB Team closed out the Italian Marathon Championships with impressive performances, including repeats, comebacks, and emotional farewells.
On the challenging Val Camonica course, 68 kilometers long and with 3,100 meters of elevation gain, the team’s athletes defied both their opponents and the elements, achieving a positive record with two top-10 finishes and three personal bests.
At the 2025 Italian Marathon Championships, the Metallurgica Veneta Pro MTB Team fulfilled the promise of the Appennininica stage race, writing one of the brightest pages in its recent history and restoring the team’s prominence that seemed lost.
Nicola Taffarel (8th overall) finally came full circle with the Italian Marathon Championships, breaking a curse that had lasted too long. After two years of consecutive withdrawals that had turned this event into a recurring nightmare, the Venetian rider managed to cross the finish line with a performance of character and determination.
“Today I wanted to avenge the nightmare of withdrawing from the Italian Marathon Championships,” says Taffael, satisfied to have finally exorcised his demons. “I immediately went for the lead group, but Siffredi and De Cosmo’s pace was unsustainable. Then came the chaos on the descent, confusing signals, riders falling behind, and those behind found themselves in the lead group. For my characteristics, this course wasn’t ideal due to the steep slopes, so eighth place is a good result, especially given the quality of the group.”
Jacopo Billi is just one spot away from the top 10, finishing 11th, ending his streak of four consecutive top-10 finishes. However, this result represents a rebirth for an athlete who, for the past two months, has been struggling with physical difficulties that appear to have compromised his season. Billi’s return represents much more than just a place: it is an important step towards returning to the top.
Andrea Candeago (13th overall) achieved his best result at the Italian Marathon Championships, confirming the growth he had already shown in the Appennininica Stage Race. His constant progression represents one of the most positive signs for his future and transforms his potential into concrete results.
Massimo Rosa chose to end his professional career in the best possible way: running with all his heart, enjoying every moment with a smile on his face along the trails of the Val Camonica. His last race was an example of how you can leave the sport you love with the smile and dignity of someone who has honored every mile of his career.
Top 5 women’s finish for Maria Zarantonello. From recovering from mononucleosis to fifth place in two months, her mid-race comeback was a testament to her tenacity and determination.
“At mid-race, I thought it was a disaster: on the first climb, I lost the lead group and many positions. I felt drained, my opponents were disappearing,” Maria said. “But from mid-race, I found the spark and recovered to fifth place. I’m satisfied because, given how I started, I didn’t expect to reach the podium. This result reflects the day and makes me proud.”
The Appenninica Stage Race was no fluke for Metallurgica Veneta MTB Pro Team. At the Italian Marathon Championship, the team once again emerged as a leader, capable of expressing its potential on all fronts: Nicola Taffarel, after two years of bad luck, closed a painful cycle, Maria Zarantonello returned to the forefront, and Jacopo Billi overcame his scares.
Andrea Candeago confirmed his progression, while for Massimo Rosa, saying goodbye like this, with the entire team providing a fitting backdrop to a career lived with total dedication, is the most beautiful epilogue an athlete could wish for.