Italy is hunting for confirmation. Archived there first stage of the speed skating World Cup in Nagano (Japan)training led by the Technical Director, Maurizio Marchettopresents itself with considerable ambitions at the start of the next round of Beijing (China), from November 29th to December 1st.
On the Chinese ice ring, Davide Ghiotto will want to replicate what was done on Japanese soil. The affirmation in the 5000 meters brought the taximeter to four victories in the top circuitequally distributed between 5000 and 10000 meters, while there are 14 podiums. Given the absence of the Dutchman Patrick Rust (after-effects of wisdom tooth extraction), the champion from Vicenza is the main candidate for success, however having to look at the other oranje Beau Snellink and from Norwegian Sander Eitrem. Watch out for the very young Czech Method Jilekvictorious in Division-B of this specialty in Nagano and gifted with great talent.
Mass start takes center stage with the pairing Daniele Di Stefano/Andrea Giovannini to want to do well, especially after the excellent debut: the 25-year-old Roman took second place in the group start race on Japanese ice, while Giovannini (holder of the specialty Cup) came fourth. On the female side, in the same test, Francesca Lollobrigida will try to do better than the fourth place in the first round of the season, also supported by the fact of competing in the 3000 meters Division-A, scoring in Japan in Division-B over this distance.
We will then see what improvements they will be able to make Riccardo Lorello in the distance tests e Arianna Fontanaregistered in the 1500 meters and in the Sprint Team. A season in which the champion from Valtellina decided to pursue with great commitment the dual role of athlete in long track speed skating and short track.