Stefano Viezzi presented Italy with its first cross rainbow jersey since 2005 during Sunday’s junior men’s race at the 2024 UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Tabor, South Bohemia, Czech Republic. The last Italian to win gold was another junior, Davide Malacarne. The top Canadian was Jayden McMullen in 23rd place.
The favorites to win were Frenchman Aubin Sperfel, Italy’s Junior World Cup winner Stefano Viezzi, Belgium’s Arthur van der Boer, and last year’s runners-up Senna Lemin and Kaye Soren from the Netherlands. .
Representing Canada among the 74 competitors was Canadian Junior Champion Jayden McMullen, a member of Canada’s team relay team. Tristan Tailleferre. Felix Antoine Leclerc. Alix Brunel and Luca Goertz.
Spafel took the holeshot. 1st lap Goertz quickly fell behind at the back of the pack and crashed around the 4:00 mark. Viezzi and Czech Christophe Bageant became Spafel’s closest pursuers before joining the Frenchman. Again, I didn’t bunny hop the board. The trio’s lap time was 10:21. McMullen was the top Canadian in 28th place at the end of the first circuit.
Bazant started to fall behind from the beginning. 2nd lap During fourth place, he realized that Soren was gunning for the final podium spot. The two argued. At the front, Viezzi and Spafel finished the second circuit 12 seconds ahead of their Czech and Dutch pursuers. McMullen rose to 25th place.
in penultimate lap Spafel snatched a clean bike. The gap between Bajant and Soren widened further as the two continued to skirmish with a 20 second lead over the lone Dane. Spafel was attacking from the front, but Viezzi heard the bell and crossed the line to attack. McMullen crossed in 23rd place.
The Italian opened up a nine-second lead early on. bell wrap. Sparfel raced on with a flat rear tire, but found Soren and Bageant overtaking him. Soren then rocked Bajjanto, who gave the home crowd a medal and was overjoyed. Viezzi had plenty of time to celebrate.
2024 UCI Cyclocross World Championship, Junior Men
Fri) Stefano Viezzi (Italy) 42:01
Silver) Kaye Soren (Netherlands) +0:09
Bronze) Christoph Bajant (Czech Republic) +0:31
23) Jayden McMullen (Canada) +4:00
47) Félix-Antoine Leclerc (Canada) +6:40
51) Tristan Taillefer (Canada) +6:56
67) Alix Brunel (Canada)
68) Luca Goertz (Canada)