Rubén Ruzafa in search of his fourth XTERRA world championship

El XTERRA World Championship after 25 years it will move from Hawaii to Europe, on the shores of Lake Molveno (Italy), in the Dolomites.

“This race will be very special for me: the first time in Europe, close to home, it is exciting.

I feel fit and ready to fight for the title“. These have been the words of, who is preparing to face the first XTERRA World Championship away from the beaches of Maui.

On October 1, on the shores of Lake Molveno, surrounded by the Brenta Dolomites, a UNESCO heritage site, the best athletes in the world will meet fighting for the most coveted title of the season in the Cros Triathlon specialty.

The 4-time ITU Cross Triathlon World Champion and 3-time XTERRA World Champion, currently in second place in the world rankings, is among the favorites for the final victory, but he will have to face the unstoppable Arthur Serrieres.

"He is in a great moment, having a special season, and has prepared very well at altitude. But Félix and Arthur Forissier are also formidable rivals, like Jens Emil, Chane or Kocar.

I love Molven. The views there are incredible. For me, swimming surrounded by 3000 meter mountains is a unique experience.

In addition, the food and the people are special and you can breathe the pure air of the altitude. Furthermore, the area is well equipped for mountain biking, hiking and many adventure sports.

It is one of the best places for the XTERRA World Championship.

The entire race takes place between 800 and 1300 meters. It will be essential to do well in swimming and especially in the part of the bike, the hardest, with two long and steep ascents and descents.

The race is beautiful and I know we will have fun running near the lake and in the woods. The weather there is always unpredictable, with temperatures between 5 and 16 degrees, very different from the hot and humid of Hawaii.

But the atmosphere will be spectacular. Many will come from all over Europe and the world to enjoy this first final on the continent.

I have trained at home, in the Basque Country with a special preparation for this test but, unlike others, not at height.

My 2022 season has been just what I expected. I am 38 years old and I feel that my motivation now is to fight in the most important events of the year, the European and World Championships.

Winning a bronze medal at the XTERRA Europeans and 5th place at the ITU Worlds was fantastic for me. Now I am looking forward to racing in Molveno and living this historic moment for XTERRA".

To defend the Spanish colors will also be María Calleja, Spanish cross triathlon champion 2019, 5th in XTERRA Nouvelle Aquitaine and sixth in Scanno (Italy).