London 2012 Olympics: 1 Cycling Medal for Italy Comes in MTBing

The only cycling medal won by Italy at the London 2012 Olympics was that by Marco Aurelio Fontana, a bronze medal in mountain biking during the last day of events. It gives Italy the first medal in men's mountain biking ("cross country" is the Olympic name). This is the third Olympic medal for Italy in mountain biking in the Olympics after the two golds won by Paola Pezzo in Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000.

Fontana was in contention for a gold or silver medal riding against Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic) and Nino Schurter (Switzerland) when with one kilometer from the finish both his saddle and seat post broke. "Since I've been cycling this has never happened to me," said Fontana. "It was very difficult riding the last kilometer, paradoxically it was more difficult uphill than downhill. At that point I thought only of defending defending third place and telling myself that I was skillful enough to do that."

Jaroslav Kulhavy won gold (ahead of Fontana in photo above), Nino Schurter won silver.

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