What mattered most was demonstrating that he was in good condition and expressing himself at high levels, which was not an easy aspect at the start of the season. The rest will come by itself, during a season that will culminate from 19 to 27 August with the World Cup in Budapest. The Olympic champions Lorenzo Patta, Filippo Tortu and Fausto Desalu who were joined by Matteo Melluzzo in the second fraction in place of his majesty Marcell Jacobs, won the 4x100 yesterday at the Florence Sprint Festival Relays at the Ridolfi stadium with a time of 38' '38. A time that gives confidence and which, above all, makes it clear that there is room for improvement to play for something very important during the world championship review.
4x100 male
The first to leave, in lane five, is as always Lorenzo Patta: the Fiamme Gialle from Oristano has a concentrated but serene gaze, aware of someone who knows he can express himself more than dignifiedly. He comes out well from the boulders, the baton firmly in hand, the run is agile, able to relax as the meters go by especially in the finale, his way of drawing the curve is precise, the torso perfectly inclined, the feet advance with a push fluid. The change with Melluzzo is not among the best and is crushed as well as the next one with Desalu but despite this both Melluzzo and Desalu run decisively with protagonists. The grand finale is signed by a Filippo Tortu who authoritatively signs a regal final hundred where he advances powerfully thanks to perfect coordination between legs and arms, without ever losing effectiveness and controlling the running action.
4x100 female
Among the women, the wait was all for the quartet formed by Zaynab Dosso, Dalia Kaddari, Anna Bongiorni and Vittoria Fontana but, due to a too long second change, the blues did not finish the race. Despite this, a fraction of the Kaddari faced with great personality and ease of racing is worth mentioning, an excellent signal in view of the half lap of the track on May 24th at the Savona Meeting. Ease of running that was not lacking in the very young Elisa Marcello who among the Under 18s, with her adventure companions Sofia Pizzato, Sofia Regazzi and Alice Pagliarini, took an excellent overall third place with a time of 45''38, very close to Italian category record. Marcello runs in the second fraction in lane seven and her stride is that of the best days: she advances fluidly, light steps and with excellent frequency, the technique is always elegant and composed, despite the fatigue that in such an intense race it is felt especially on the finish. These elements allow her to give a significant boost to a quartet that has shown excellent chemistry and, above all, wide margins for growth.
The comment
At the end of the event it is time to take stock and analyze the races played: both the athletes and the technicians can be satisfied with what has been achieved and their words reflect determination and high morale for the future. « The boys ran well, Lorenzo Patta and Filippo Tortu made two excellent fractions», the words of Fabrizio Fanni regional technical trustee and coach of Dalia Kaddari. « By improving the changes it was feasible to race in 38''10 but despite this, for a debut it's perfectly fine. It's a shame about the women's relay but it's part of the game, there will be other opportunities». And if we talk about opportunities, the talented Elisa Marcello certainly didn't miss the opportunity to do well. « Elisa is improving her basic speed a lot», adds Fanni, « and this will be useful for her in view of the 200 and 400». Satisfaction also shared by Elisa Marcello's coach, Andrea Sole. « Elisa ran well; she loves the relay, it's a type of competition that she feels is particularly hers. This experience gives us great confidence». Now, the gaze is turned to the next appointments. « On May 13th in Cagliari, on the occasion of the Absolute Sardinian championships, she will compete in the 4x100m with her teammates from Athletica Valeria while on the 14th she will do the 200m: goals? Give the best of us, the condition is very good and we will try to do our best».
