Elian Paccagnella left no stone unturned in his second European Championship race. © www.picturedesk.com / ANDY BUCHANAN

Paccagnella's gold rush is followed by disillusionment

19-year-old South Tyrolean Elian Paccagnella competed again at the European Mountain Bike Championships in Portugal on Saturday. This time, however, he was unlucky.

July 26, 2025

From: fop

On Friday, Paccagnella won the gold medal with Italy's mixed relay teamLess than 24 hours later, he had to settle for 23rd place in the U33 cross country competition in Melgaco, Portugal.

Paccagnella graduated from high school in June and was therefore only able to train to a limited extent. This became apparent on Saturday, as the Bolzano native initially rode in the leading group, but then increasingly fell behind and ultimately missed a place in the front field. The teenager is South Tyrol's sole representative at the European Championships.

Cross-country gold went to Frenchman Adrien Boichis, who relegated Denmark's Withen Albert Philipsen to second place. Bronze went to Swiss Finn Treudler.

However, there was still a small success for Italy on this European Championship day: Federico Rosario Brafa won the silver medal in the junior race behind the Austrian Anatol Friedl.