Unbreakable, hardworking, and improviser. On January 3rd, Mattia Agostinacchio won the Trofee Koksijde cyclocross race, part of the Challenge X2O. The race took place in Belgium, primarily on the beach of Koksijde. The town facing the North Sea is well-known to cycling enthusiasts, especially for hosting stages of the Three Days of La Panne and other important road competitions.

It should be noted that Mattia Agostinacchio decided only late last night, Thursday, January 2nd, to race in Koksijde. The Valle d'Aosta rider from Fas Airport Services-Guerciotti-Premac with his impressive improvisation in the junior race, beat Giel Lejeune by 2", one of his main World Cup rivals, and finished 3rd at 5" was Cas Timmermans (Netherlands), 4th Michiel Mouris (Netherlands) at 12". Koksijde is also a prestigious cross venue, and Mattia Agostinacchio with his success made his European Junior Champion jersey shine. 75 riders participated, mostly from Benelux but also with participants from Great Britain,

Sweden, France, and states from the American continent. Agostinacchio, 17 years old, belongs this cross season to the team of which Paolo Guerciotti is president.

Overall, considering all categories, Mattia Agostinacchio is the first Italian to triumph in the Koksijde cross,

a race characterized by numerous sections to be covered on foot, with the bike on the shoulders, naturally on sand.

"Mattia raced very well - emphasizes Luca Bramati, DS of Fa Airport Services Guerciotti Premac - staying in the top positions. On the last lap, his foot slipped off the pedal and from the authoritative first position he dropped to third without getting demoralized. In the sandy sections with the bike on the shoulder and a stride with an extended leg, in the style of Vito Di Tano, my rider made a comeback. Mattia made the difference on sand, and this is important and promising".

The race program of the junior Valle d'Aosta rider in Belgium undergoes changes. Tomorrow Mattia will regularly participate in the Superprestige cross in

Gullegem; he will not race on Sunday in Dendermonde. His brother Filippo Agostinacchio (under 23 category) due to back problems will not

race tomorrow and evaluations will be made for Sunday.