Italian Downhill Championship, from Veneto to Lombardy

All Eyes on Madesimo, July 19th–20th

Everything is ready in Madesimo for one of the most important sporting events on the national scene, set to attract top riders from all over Italy. In fact, the Italian Downhill Championship returns this year to Lombardy, after last year’s edition took place in the Veneto town of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

“We are very proud to host the Italian Downhill Championship this year,” says Roberto Milanesi, President of the Madesimo Tourist Consortium. “It’s a truly unique event that brings even more energy to our area and helps enhance the image of the town at a national level. The atmosphere in Madesimo right now is already full of excitement and adrenaline.”

Over 350 athletes will compete for the tricolor jersey, racing down the famous "Valle delle Streghe" track, all under the careful supervision of the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI). Riders will be divided into male and female categories: Elite, Master, and the youth categories Esordienti and Allievi.

Also in Lombardy — more precisely in Aprica — the IXS European Cup was recently held with great success, attracting over 460 registered athletes from all over the world, who competed on a specially designed track.

“Downhill,” explains Riccardo Tagliabue, who for years has led and coordinated the team behind the Italian Cup, the Italian Championship, and the IXS European Cup, “is a discipline in the world of off-road cycling that continues to grow, both in the number of participants and in the opening of new bike parks in mountain resorts. It’s an alternative way — increasingly embraced by women as well — to generate activity, appeal, and tourism by using ski lifts even outside the winter season.

On Sunday, we’ll see who can take the tricolor jersey from Davide Palazzari or Gloria Scarsi, the winners of the men’s and women’s Elite categories in 2024 in Cortina d’Ampezzo — or whether the two top riders will once again prove themselves the fastest in Italy in Downhill. But there are many other tricolor jerseys up for grabs, both for young talents and for the many participants in the Master categories.”

 

ITALIAN DOWNHILL CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 – PROGRAM

Saturday, July 19

• Morning: mandatory practice runs

• 1:30 PM: qualification heats to determine the fastest athletes and get the first timed results on the track

Sunday, July 20

• Morning: free practice

• From 1:00 PM: final race runs to decide the winners

• 4:00 PM: awards ceremony