The 2024 UEC Junior and Under-23 Track European Championships got underway this Tuesday at the Velódromo Nacional in Sangalhos, Anadia. The opening day of competition saw strong performances from Italy, who claimed three gold medals, and Great Britain, who secured two.
The racing programme began in the morning with qualification rounds, but the first finals were contested in the evening session — from 17:30 to 21:00 — in an atmosphere of growing excitement in the stands.
Italy stood out particularly in the junior events. Ida Dam Fialla (Denmark) won the junior women’s scratch race, with Agata Campana (Italy) taking silver and Britt Jeucken (Netherlands) completing the podium. Shortly after, Jacopo Vendramin delivered Italy’s first victory of the day, winning the junior men’s scratch race ahead of Max Fitzgerald (Ireland) and Matvei Iakovlev (independent).
Italy struck gold again in the junior women’s team sprint, with Matilde Cenci, Siria Trevisan, and Rebecca Fiscarelli beating Germany and Belgium in the final. In the junior men’s team sprint, it was Great Britain who took top honours, with Kristian Larigo, Archie Gill, and Ioan Hepburn overcoming Germany and France.
In the under-23 category, Federica Venturelli (Italy) lived up to expectations in the women’s individual pursuit, taking a dominant win over Grace Lister (Great Britain). Lisa van Belle (Netherlands) claimed the bronze. Not long after, Josh Charlton earned Great Britain’s second gold of the day by winning the men’s individual pursuit, after a high-level final against Renato Favero (Italy). Luca Giaimi, also from Italy, took third place.
In the under-23 women’s elimination race, Valeria Valgonen (independent) took gold ahead of Isabella Maria Escalera (Spain) and Anita Baima (Italy). The final gold medal of the day went to Belgium, as Tom Crabbe won the under-23 men’s elimination race, with Emmanuel Houcou (France) and William Lowth (Denmark) rounding out the podium.
The championships continue on Wednesday with more finals across multiple disciplines. A total of 44 European titles are up for grabs throughout the week, in an event that brings together 458 riders from 30 countries, confirming Anadia’s role as a key hub for youth track cycling.
Photo: Paulo Maria / FPC
