The Trial World Championship in Glasgow has left us with a bittersweet taste, but it strengthens the bonds of the CleanTrials team even more and fills us with optimism for the future.
We acknowledge that individual results didn't meet our expectations in several cases. However, one thing is clear: we are tremendously satisfied with the attitude and effort our team has shown, as well as with the way we have faced challenges throughout the season. The solidarity among our pilots has been exceptional, and the atmosphere among them has been truly inspiring.
Today, we want to share with you their impressions and what they expect from the remainder of the season. Here they are!
Diego Crescenzi
"The World Championship in Glasgow was incredible. The inclusion of Trial events in such magnitude is crucial, and I'm glad it received the attention it deserves, especially with the various live broadcasts on national television. The live broadcast during the semifinals and finals should become a standard in the World Cup as well. Unfortunately, the absence of grandstands made it challenging for the audience to have a clear view of the races. From a technical standpoint, the circuits this year were excellently designed in my opinion. We finally saw an increasing difficulty in the course, which is essential in a World Championship without quarterfinals. I'm looking forward to 2027 to repeat this fantastic experience at the Cycling Olympiad!"
Julen Saenz
"The weekend didn't go quite well for me; I didn't have my best day. During the final, I didn't feel comfortable on the bike, I think it was due to nerves and the pressure of the final. It was a rather strange final. Nevertheless, despite not performing at my best, I'm very happy with my fourth place and returning home without any injuries or discomfort. The year after the fall I had, I had to come back injured and start the recovery as soon as I arrived. I know I could have done much better, although it could have been much worse as well. I'm generally satisfied. Now I hope to find better feelings in the European Championship and the remaining World Cup. I believe having already gone through the World Championship will help me compete with less pressure".
Alba Riera
"I am very happy with my participation in this World Championship. For me, it was a dream to make it onto the podium, and it was incredible to achieve 3rd place in my first year in this category. Throughout the weekend, I had some issues with my left arm that made piloting difficult, but I was able to overcome them and perform very well in the final race. Now, I am eager and focused on what's left of the season. Let's see how my arm responds to this minor injury that still bothers me. I'm going to try to recover it as much as possible to give my all in the last World Cup and the European Championship."
Benito Ros
"My impressions of the World Championship weren't the best. The results weren't ideal, mainly due to mistakes in the first two sections, where I only scored 10 and 20 points respectively. However, I managed to improve a bit in the later sections, adjusting my riding and getting closer to my expected level.
As for how I feel overall, I always maintain a positive attitude. Participating in a global event is a very valuable experience. Although the terrain and weather conditions didn't favor me this time, I still hold hope of showcasing my best performance in the two significant remaining competitions this season. I am currently evaluating if I'll be able to attend in terms of logistics. My goal is to enjoy the end of the season and get back to my best level as a pilot".
Dani Barón
"What I enjoyed the most without a doubt was coming together again with all the fellow pilots and friends in such a grand and exciting event. This is what I value the most and truly relish these moments. Despite not spending as much time together on this occasion, the CleanTrials team remains amazing. The way we act as a family and support each other in the good and bad times is something that makes me fall even more in love with this sport."
Dominik Oswald
During the team competition, I was able to secure a lot of points for the German team. I was very satisfied with my performance there, quite the opposite of what happened in my individual race where I wasn't very focused. I also didn't feel very comfortable during the sections, and despite trying to give my all, I didn't make it to the finals. Now, it's time to keep working, staying focused, and motivated to tackle the two big races left this season.
Martí Riera
"Overall, I am satisfied, although there are some details we need to improve. Some mistakes in the final round kept me away from the top 10. Now, my focus is on the European championship and the final World Cup".
Borja Conejos
"I feel content with my sensations at the World Championship, especially in the final, where I was very focused and had a good connection with the bike. Even though Alejandro was superior, achieving the second place is very rewarding after all the season's hard work. That's how sports go; now it's time to look ahead and keep working".
Niilo Stenvall
"The week of the World Championship started well for me, with a strong performance in the team competition and a good result for the Finnish team. In the semifinal, things also went smoothly as I secured first place for the final with positive sensations. However, in the final, I made two minor mistakes and ended up in third place, feeling disappointed."
Vera Barón
"I have loved sharing both the good and challenging moments with my teammates and once again having the opportunity to be on the top of the podium."
Despite the results not meeting our expectations, this experience at the Glasgow World Championship has strengthened our determination and united us as a team. From here, we once again congratulate each and every pilot of the #cleanfactoryteam and the #cleantrialsfamily. We also take this opportunity to applaud Alejandro Montalvo for his outstanding performance and the thrilling battle he engaged in with Borja in the Men's 20" final. And let's not forget to celebrate Alba Riera for her historic achievement of securing her first podium in the Elite Women's category.
With this experience, we look forward with optimism and a greater determination to achieve new goals in the future.