10 Mar Victorious start to the season for the Metallurgica Veneta MTB Professional Team
Jacopo Billi opens the season with victory for the professional MTB team Metallurgica Veneta
After a solo attack, Billi gives the team its first victory of the season at Bacialla Bike.
On March 10, 2025, in Terontola di Cortona (Arezzo), the sky above the Cortona hills is colored with the colors of the Metallurgica Veneta professional MTB team for the second consecutive year.
Jacopo Bili’s great dominance at the Bacialla Bike
The team led by Martino Tronconi maintained its dominance at the Bacialla Bike thanks to the determination of Jacopo Billi, who dominated the long course, crossing the finish line in 1 hour 53 minutes and 29 seconds. A clear victory, built on the first climb with more than a minute’s advantage over the second-place finisher. This success confirms the Tuscan team’s winning tradition in this race, exactly one year after Nicola Taffarel’s triumph.
On a technical 45km course, Billi kicked off the victory counter of a season full of ambitions, but the performances didn’t stop at the podium: Massimo Rosa, despite a condition still under construction, finished in fifth place, while new addition Andrea Candeago debuted with an encouraging tenth place, despite being penalized by some physical ailments.
The female forward did not disappoint either.
On the other hand, the women’s front-runners were also successful. Maria Zarantonello defended the team’s colors with a courageous second place, battling physical difficulties that limited her performance in the second part of the race.
Maria explains that her initial sensations were excellent, even better than the previous year, but unfortunately, a nagging back pain prevented her from racing. Even so, Maria comments that she remains optimistic, given this being the first race of the season, and given the positive sensations from the first part, although she would have liked to have achieved something more.
Great start to the season
Confirming his enthusiasm for this first outing, Jacopo Billi stated: “I am extremely satisfied with the start of this season. Although my winter preparations began more slowly than those of my teammates who have already competed in Spain, the work I put in has yielded the desired results. This victory is an important starting point; now the goal is to maintain this winning momentum in Monteriggioni and in the upcoming races. It was a pleasure to get back on the road with the team after months of individual training.”
The victory at Bacialla Bike not only represents an individual success for Billi, but also marks the start of a promising season for the Metallurgica Veneta MTB Pro Team, which, with this momentum, is looking towards the next challenge: the prestigious Granfondo Castello di Monteriggioni, with the aim of staying at the top.