Future stars of the trials discipline will take centre stage over the next three days in this annual event dedicated to youth.
Lazzate, in the Italian region of Lombardy, will be the theatre of some intense competition August 3-5, as it hosts the 2018 UCI Trials World Youth Games.
Dedicated to trials specialists aged 9-16, this annual event traditionally reveals some of the future stars of this technical discipline. This year, it has attracted a record 190 participants from 16 countries, with a marked increase in entrants in the two girls’ categories.
The young athletes will demonstrate their bike-handling skills, agility, balance and nerves as they tackle the man-made sections - consisting of rocks, logs, wooden beams precast concrete, and metallic structures - in a bid to win one of the seven titles at stake.
In Viborg, Denmark, last year, Spain headed the medals table at the end of the three days of competition ahead of the Czech Republic. Although failing to reach the podium in 2017, Italy placed athletes in two finals (Minimes 13-14 and Cadets 15-16) and finished a respectable 7th in the national teams competition. They will have the benefit of performing at home this year.
A popular moto-trials destination, Lazzate also welcomes training courses for trials, which are often led by multiple UCI World Champion Benito Ros (Spain).