After revisiting the memories that surround Molveno in the first part, it’s time to explore what drives us onto the trails of Trentino. I handed the microphone to the athletes to understand the nature of their goals.
As an athlete within the heart of the event, I know that XTERRA is not just a race — it’s a pilgrimage. In Molveno, beneath the Dolomites, the stopwatch becomes a mere detail in the presence of something far greater. I shared glances, breaths, and moments of honesty with others — from elites to age groupers. Their words echo a single truth: the real finish line is always within.
Joy
For many, the truest victory can’t be measured. It lives in the shared moments, the adrenaline of the course, and the simple joy of being surrounded by wild nature. That is XTERRA’s original essence.
I think of Bruno from Luxembourg, who said he mostly came “to spend time with friends, to meet everyone… ” it’s all about enjoyment.” The goal is simple, almost childlike. Julien from Belgium summed it up perfectly: “To have fun and enjoy myself — if I’m not suffering too much at the end, that’s already a win!”
And Fabio from Italy, proud of his first Elite race, reminded us that courage itself is a victory, even with “no specific goal this year.” These athletes remind us that just being on the start line is already a privilege.
Measuring Against Oneself
Then there are those who look back — not to regret, but to see how far they’ve come. The greatest title isn’t a medal, but the story we tell ourselves when we reflect.
For Jens Roth from Germany, Molveno was redemption after difficult years: “I raced my own race, and I was really happy with that — finishing in the top 20 felt amazing.” The mountains of Molveno don’t forgive easily, but they do offer second chances. Hannah Lee Young from Australia put it beautifully: “I can only compare myself to who I was in 2024.” That’s the beauty of sport in nature — every season feels like a new beginning.
Jean-Yves Garot’s story is a hymn to perseverance. After breaking his collarbone in August in the Czech Republic, he crossed the finish line with the medal around his neck — the reward for months of recovery and effort. “It’s an immense pride,” he said. These victories may not make headlines, but they stay engraved within us.
Mila Lantelme found her confidence again through the technical difficulty of the bike course. The support from her team and her coach, Alexandra, turned this challenge into triumph. Within the XTERRA family, support is our engine.
Ambition
For the elites and seasoned competitors, Molveno is the stage of greatness. Every second counts, every place is earned. It’s where legends are forged, where careful preparation meets performance at its purest. Jonathan Marguerite put it plainly: “Bring home a little champion’s title.” Christophe Lenfant went beyond his dream of a podium to seize second place.
Among the youth, the brilliance is already there. Quentin Audo, with his 7th overall age-group finish in 2024, achieved more than a Top 10 — he made his mark. For Loïc Menoux, the highlight was his best-ever mountain bike split, where he “really had fun on that section.”The joy of flow through the corners — that’s an invisible trophy.
Even at the highest level, satisfaction comes from harmony. Emma Ducreux celebrated her Top 6 as confirmation that everything had clicked: “Seeing it all come together, everything fitting in place for this championship — it’s really cool.”
That’s what Molveno is. Whether you aim for first place or the pride of finishing, we are one — a community that celebrates the race against ourselves. In the end, the rugged nature of Molveno changed us all. And that is the finest result of all.
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