By André Santos

Visma Ski Classics Season XI has come to an end, and despite the challenges created by the ongoing pandemic, many Pro teams and athletes managed to improve their results and achieve their ambitions. 

SottoZero Trentino Team Zorzi Max is one example of this achievement. Season XI was the Pro Team’s second season in the Pro Tour, and it has achieved the 18th position in the Pro Team competition. The team composed of Italian and Spanish athletes has also finished Season XI, classified as the best Italian Pro Team. 

Michele Pasqualotto, Pro Team Director, is very proud of this achievement. 
“We haven’t really changed things in comparison with the last season. The main difference is that during our first season in the Pro Tour, we acquired a lot of experience that taught us how to manage everything and how to avoid mistakes,” says Michele.

This season had some moments that Michele will always remind, but the most special ones were Marcialonga and Årefjällsloppet. 
“At Marcialonga, we felt our team had a lot of visibility, and since this is the most prestigious Italian race, we are proud of it. Moreover, Stefania Corradini won Marcialonga Light, a great achievement for her and the team. In Årefjällsloppet, at the end of the race, we realized that we managed to end the season classified as the best Italian long distance ski team. That’s a moment to remember”.

Årefjällsloppet was also a great moment for SottoZero Trentino Team Zorzi Max because Mauro Brigadoi, who has had his best season ever, finished the race in 22nd position.
“This race was very attractive and represented something unique in the Visma Ski Classics circuit,” says Michele.

Now it is time to rest but also to start thinking about Season XII. Michele doesn’t hide his main ambitions for the next season: to hold the best Italian Pro Team’s title and improve the general position in the Visma Ski Classics ranking. In particular, Michele is thankful for the support of the team’s main sponsors and happy about the Visma Ski Classics organization, which managed to conclude the season despite all the ongoing difficulties.
“Hopefully, next season, there will be less Covid-19 worries and more races”.