The 18-year-old EF Education-EasyPost recruit rocketed away on the second-to-last lap and never looked back. With his win, Mattia earned the right to wear the European stars for another year. He was European junior champ last season. Mattia can hardly believe he beat the best Under-23 riders in Europe in just his first year in the category.

“It’s pretty surreal!” he said. “Before the race yesterday, I couldn’t even think about being Under-23 champion as a first-year Under-23. I started the race hoping to try to get a podium, so I am pretty happy with the win. It’s a great feeling.”

Mattia’s race almost fizzled out before he had the chance to launch. A mishap on the first lap cost him time.

“I started well, and I think I was top 10 going into the first corner, but then one guy stepped on my shoe and it came off and I lost 20 to 30 seconds trying to get it back on,” Mattia said. “I managed, but then spent the first three laps trying to come back to the leading group. When I got there, a French guy was already out and ahead and we were battling for second place.”

Mattia bided his time in the group, taking a chance to catch his breath as he floated through the corners. He praised his new Cannondale SuperX.

“The SuperX is a great bike,” Mattia said. “It was flying, especially with the tires. I used Vittoria last year as well, so I know my tires really, really well. The course was almost all sand. I didn’t know what to expect because of that. I didn’t know who could win because of the sand, but my bike was dialed.”

Going into the final laps, Mattia’s group caught the lone leader and he saw his chance.

“I don’t know what I was thinking. I just went,” he said. “I took about 15 seconds right away and kept it to the finish. I still don’t know how I did it, really. I am super happy.”

Congratulations, Mattia! The European stars are going to look great on you.