By André Santos

Italian long-distance skiers have been showing their strength not only at Visma Ski Classics events but also during the summer at the Roller-ski World Cup and the National Championships.

Matteo Tanel, Team Robinson Trentino’s athlete, who won the Roller-ski World Cup in 2019, is showing good fitness in this summer. On August 1, Matteo won the Italian Cross-Country Ski Championships in Pavullo Nel Frignano with a superior performance. The Italian long-distance skier beat the second best racer by almost two minutes.

Matteo Tanel is also one of the athletes of the Italian Roller-ski National Team, and he is fighting for the victory at the Roller-ski World Cup this year as well. At the first stage of the World Cup in Banska Bystrica, the Italian long-distance skier finished the 10 km classic race in 2^nd place, just 2 seconds behind the winner.

On the following stage of the World Cup in Otepää, another Visma Ski Classics Pro Team was represented. Sottozero Trentino Zorzi Max Team’s athlete Tommaso Dellagiacoma finished the 15 km classic race in the 7^th position, one minute and 47 seconds behind the winner Alexander Bolshunov. Matteo Tanel finished 11th, two minutes and one second behind Bolshunov.

Then, Matteo Tanel showed his capacity in the 26 km freestyle race, which he won, finishing the course in 42 minutes and 28 seconds. Also, Sottozero’s Tommaso Dellagiacoma finished 5^th. Both Italian long-distance skiers finished ahead of Alexander Bolshunov, one of the best cross-country skiers in the world.