Italy wins the 2026 Team Relay World Championships in front of the home crowd

Italy has been crowned 2026 Team Relay World Champion in front of its home crowd in Val di Sole after a race that changed leaders several times. With the surprising absence of France in this race, it is the first time in history that France did not start, Austria dominated much of the event. But a great fifth lap from Valentina Corvi brought Italy back to the front, and Fabio Bassignana finished the job in the final relay. Switzerland took silver and the United States completed the podium thanks to a great final lap from Riley Amos.

Italy comes from behind to win the 2026 Team Relay World Championship

Spain had a prominent role right from the start of the race. David Campos, in charge of the first relay, took the lead during the early stages followed by the Italian Juri Zanotti and the Swiss Nicolas Halter.

The situation changed quickly, and Zanotti ended up setting the pace to hand over the first relay with Italy in the lead. Switzerland stayed close, while other teams like the Czech Republic, with Ondřej Cink, Austria, or Brazil were already over 20 seconds behind. Spain completed this first lap in eighth place.

Austria takes command and opens up a gap

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The second lap completely changed the situation. Austria had reserved elite Mario Bair for this moment, who made up ground to place his team in first position. Italy faced this relay with junior Paolo Costa, while Brazil climbed to third place thanks to junior Leonardo Bernardes de Castro Filho.

Spain lost positions in this segment, and Marta Cano, Under-23, handed over the relay in 11th place.

Austria continued to widen the gap in the third lap. Junior Michael Hettegger kept his team in front and finished his relay with 52 seconds over Italy, which had put Martina Berta in the race, and 1:38 over Switzerland, represented at that moment by Jolanda Neff.

The differences were starting to become significant, although there was still half the race left and the Team Relay format allowed for new changes. Spain, with junior Pablo Rodríguez, advanced to 10th place.

Mitterwallner increases Austria's lead

The fourth lap seemed to further reinforce Austria's chances. Mona Mitterwallner took the relay and increased her team's lead to 1:35 over Italy.

Behind, Italy had used junior Giorgia Pellizotti and Switzerland had Under-23 Anina Hutter. Both teams started the fifth lap practically together, battling for second and third positions.

Valentina Corvi completely changes the race

But the Team Relay proved once again that a single lap can transform the standings. Valentina Corvi staged a great comeback in the fifth relay and returned Italy to first position.

The Italian took advantage of the fact that Austria was facing this lap with junior Johanna Piringer and handed over the final relay in first place with 41 seconds ahead of Austria. Switzerland, with junior Anja Grossmann, remained third at 52 seconds behind Italy.

Bassignana seals Italy's victory and Riley Amos brings the United States onto the podium

With Italy back in front, Fabio Bassignana received the final relay with the responsibility of defending the lead in front of the Val di Sole crowd. The Under-23 Italian did not falter and crossed the finish line in first place to declare Italy the 2026 Team Relay World Champion with a time of 1:08:06.

 

 

 

 

 

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Behind, there were still two important moves left. Luca Schatti completed a great final lap to move Switzerland up to second place. The Swiss secured the silver medal 51 seconds behind Italy.

The last podium spot went to the United States. Riley Amos launched a great comeback in the final relay and brought his team from outside the podium to third place, crossing the finish line 1:31 behind the Italian team.

The big loser was Austria. After leading for much of the race and having a considerable advantage, they finished off the podium. Under-23 Antonia Grangl completed the final relay, and Austria finished fourth at 2:53.

Top 10 2026 Team Relay World Championship

1. Italy — 1:08:06
2. Switzerland — +0:51
3. United States — +1:31
4. Canada — +2:21
5. Denmark — +2:40
6. Austria — +2:53
7. Czech Republic — +4:01
8. Germany — +5:10
9. Brazil — +5:18
10. Spain — +6:37

Italy thus succeeds an absent France, the reigning champion that did not start in Val di Sole, and conquers in front of its home crowd the first major title of the cross-country events of this World Championship.