If a good morning starts in the morning, 2025 will be a year to remember, no more and no less than a 2024 to frame. Nadia Battocletti wins the 68th edition of the Campaccio, the classic of the international cross classics, and brings an Italian back to the top step of the podium after 31 years when the winner was Silvia Sommaggio. In San Giorgio su Legnano the 24 of the Fiamme azzurre, fresh European cross champion a month ago, plays the lead role with a practically solo race right from the start of the opening lap. An escape that reaches the finish line after 21 minutes and 14 seconds ahead of the other Italian from the Army Elisa Palmero (9.58pm) and Finnish Susanna Saapunki (10.06pm). The arrival is triumphant amidst applause for a champion who is now at the top of the world rankings. “I felt like I had returned to the races I did as a girl – her words at the finish line – with the rainy and cold climate, which however has its great charm in cross-country. This Campaccio with the route variations was even more technical, with a higher level of difficulty. An honor to have won this wonderful race, I like that the public had fun and I did it too thanks to the cheering along the entire route. It’s a family race: I came with my dad Giuliano when he raced, I’ve always participated in the youth categories too. Among my dreams for 2025, I put health first and the goal is the World Championships in Tokyo in September.” In the men’s event, the Ethiopian Telahun dominates Haile Bekele in front of the Burundian Celestin Ndikumana (31:50) and to the Ugandan Oscar Chelimo (32:09). Among Italians he is seventh Iliass Aouani (Fiamme Azzurre, 32:27) improving the eighth place of the last three editions, also in the top ten Luca Alfieri (Atl. Casone Noceto, 32:40) and the Italian cross champion Pasquale Selvarolo (Fiamme Azzurre, 32:49), eighth and ninth respectively.