Debut podium for Zarantonello – Baumann: Metallurgica Veneta Pro Team shines at 4Island Epic
Following their 2024 success, Metallurgica Veneta Pro Team solidifies its status on the Croatian islands. The international duo of Maria Zarantonello and Chrystelle Baumann secured a brilliant 3rd place in the General Classification, while Candeago-Arias finished on a high note with a stage podium and 7th overall.
Mali Lošinj (CRO) – April 19, 26 – The 4Island Epic never fails to deliver high-octane racing. For Metallurgica Veneta Professional Team, making its third consecutive appearance, the 2026 edition proved to be a showcase of resilience and tactical growth. Following last year’s triumph with Taffarel-Rosa, the team returned to the Adriatic archipelago with two distinct lineups, both delivering standout performances.
The roster featured the established pairing of Andrea Candeago and Diego Arias (fresh from their partnership at the Andalusia Bike Race) alongside a new international duo: Italy’s Maria Zarantonello and Swiss rider Chrystelle Baumann. Despite being Baumann’s event debut—coming off a strong season start with a 2nd place at Costa Blanca and 6th at the Mediterranean Epic—the pair displayed immediate synergy.
Across five days of brutal racing spanning 300 km and 6,000 meters of elevation, battling fierce winds and rocky technical climbs, the team reached the final arch in Lošinj with impressive results: Zarantonello-Baumann claimed 3rd overall, while Candeago-Arias secured 7th in the GC after a gritty comeback fueled by a podium finish in the final stage.
Zarantonello & Baumann: consistency meets character
“I’m incredibly happy,” said Maria Zarantonello after her first 4Island experience. “The race was a total discovery for me, but the chemistry with Chrystelle was instant.”
The duo opened strong, securing two consecutive runner-up finishes in the early stages. While defending their position in the GC battle, a puncture during Stage 3 forced them into damage-control mode. “We lost valuable time and had to fight tooth and nail; that stage podium was hard-earned,” Zarantonello noted as they moved into 3rd overall.
The Stage 4 Time Trial, characterized by flat, wind-exposed sectors, didn’t favor their climbing profiles. “It didn’t go exactly as planned,” Maria admitted after a 4th place finish. However, the final stage saw a relentless “all-in” effort. After staying with the leaders for the first 12 km, a lost bidon at a critical moment forced a strategic stop to hydrate in the heat. Despite a late-race surge to catch the 2nd-place overall contenders, the duo crossed the line to seal a prestigious overall podium.
Candeago & Arias: the final charge
For Diego Arias, this marked his first successful completion of the 4Island Epic after a premature exit last year. The week started with a promising 5th place, but Stage 2 tested their limits. “It was a fast, punishing stage. I was on the limit just to stay in the wheels,” explained Andrea Candeago. After managing a 9th place finish and surviving a puncture-heavy Stage 3, the pair focused on a late-week recovery.
Their tactical patience paid off. Following a clinical performance in the Stage 4 TT (6th), they delivered their masterpiece in the grand finale. Candeago and Arias powered to a 2nd place stage finish, clinching a podium that reshaped their week.
“This result is a huge morale boost for both me and the team,” said Candeago, who has been balancing professional racing with his university degree. Arias added: “Mechanical setbacks kept us out of the overall Top 5, but finishing with two Top 5s, a stage podium, and 7th overall proves we have the pace. We leave Croatia with our heads high, ready for the next Epic Series chapter.”
The verdict
The 2026 4Island Epic concludes with Metallurgica Veneta Pro Team celebrating a “double-value” podium from a debut pairing and a resilient Top 10 finish for the men.
Team Manager Martino Tronconi summarized the week: “We head home with a podium that provides great momentum and the knowledge that we fought for every meter. Two pairs, two different stories, but one shared mentality: never give up. The men’s side showed a great upward trajectory, culminating in that fantastic final stage. The women’s performance was rock-solid throughout. Closing the event with a double podium on the final day for both squads is exactly how we wanted to finish. We are ready for the next goals.”
At ISB Sport, we continue to support the Metallurgica Veneta Pro Team with our ISB Sport bicycle bearings.
