Metallurgica Veneta Pro Team Makes History at World Cup Debut

The Metallurgica Veneta Professional Team opened its 2026 HERO UCI Marathon World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, with Norwegian champion Eskil Evensen-Lie finishing sixth overall in the season’s opening round in Calpe, Spain.

The result is the team’s best-ever at UCI World Cup level – a remarkable achievement considering Evensen-Lie was making his debut in Metallurgica Veneta colours and had been dealing with a virus in the week leading up to the race.

The gruelling 82-kilometre course between Calpe and Benissa, featuring 2,700 metres of elevation gain, saw a blistering pace from the gun. A select group of seven riders formed at the front before Wout Alleman and Andreas Seewald broke away mid-race. Behind them, Evensen-Lie battled hard in the chase group alongside Egger and Germany’s Baum, finishing just thirty seconds outside the top five.

Rider Reaction

“For a first race with the new team, it’s a great foundation. There’s a great spirit within the team; I prepared well this winter, and today, even though it wasn’t my best day, I managed to fight with the best in the world.”
Eskil Evensen-Lie

Evensen-Lie also noted that he is still fine-tuning his setup on the new Merida – equipped with Formula brakes – with further improvements expected as the season progresses.

Team Round-Up

Colombian rider Diego Alfonso Arias Cuervo delivered a solid ride to finish 30th after running in the top 15 through the first half of the race. In the women’s event, Maria Zarantonello crossed the line in 15th, showing promising form with room to grow.

Andrea Candeago and Nicola Taffarel both started despite carrying physical issues – Candeago nursing a wrist injury from a crash during Thursday’s reconnaissance and Taffarel recovering from the flu. Both riders managed their efforts with one eye on the upcoming Andalucia Bike Race.