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The roster featured the established pairing of\u00a0Andrea Candeago and Diego Arias\u00a0<\/b>(fresh from their partnership at the Andalusia Bike Race) alongside a new international duo: Italy\u2019s\u00a0Maria Zarantonello<\/b>\u00a0and Swiss rider\u00a0Chrystelle Baumann<\/b>. Despite being Baumann\u2019s event debut\u2014coming off a strong season start with a 2nd place at Costa Blanca and 6th at the Mediterranean Epic\u2014the pair displayed immediate synergy.<\/p>\n
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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 Lo\u0161inj with impressive results:\u00a0Zarantonello-Baumann claimed 3rd overall, while Candeago-Arias secured 7th in the GC<\/b>\u00a0after a gritty comeback fueled by a podium finish in the final stage.<\/p>\n
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Zarantonello & Baumann: consistency meets character<\/span><\/b> <\/p>\n 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.\u00a0\u201cWe lost valuable time and had to fight tooth and nail; that stage podium was hard-earned,\u201d<\/i>\u00a0Zarantonello noted as they moved into 3rd overall.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Stage 4 Time Trial, characterized by flat, wind-exposed sectors, didn\u2019t favor their climbing profiles.\u00a0\u201cIt didn’t go exactly as planned,\u201d<\/i>\u00a0Maria 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Candeago & Arias: the final charge<\/span><\/b> <\/p>\n 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\u00a02nd place stage finish<\/b>, clinching a podium that reshaped their week.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis result is a huge morale boost for both me and the team,\u201d<\/i>\u00a0said Candeago, who has been balancing professional racing with his university degree. Arias added:\u00a0\u201cMechanical 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.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The verdict<\/b> <\/p>\n Team Manager Martino Tronconi<\/b>\u00a0summarized the week:\u00a0\u201cWe 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\u2019s side showed a great upward trajectory, culminating in that fantastic final stage. The women\u2019s 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n\u201cI\u2019m incredibly happy,\u201d<\/i>\u00a0said\u00a0Maria Zarantonello<\/b>\u00a0after her first 4Island experience.\u00a0\u201cThe race was a total discovery for me, but the chemistry with Chrystelle was instant.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
\nFor\u00a0Diego Arias<\/b>, 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.\u00a0\u201cIt was a fast, punishing stage. I was on the limit just to stay in the wheels,\u201d\u00a0<\/i>explained\u00a0Andrea Candeago<\/b>. After managing a 9th place finish and surviving a puncture-heavy Stage 3, the pair focused on a late-week recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nThe 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.<\/span><\/p>\n