At the UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Fayetteville, right behind the fascinating battle between eventual winner Marianne Vos and Lucinda Brand, a fierce and unexpected battle between Dutch teammate Ceylin Carmen del Alvarado and Italian Silvia Persico The battle unfolded.

The 24-year-old Italian's bronze medal-winning performance foreshadowed breaking the Dutch blockade of the cyclocross world championship podium for the past two years. Persico rocketed around the course in Friday's team relay, and her power helped Italy to an upset victory over the United States and Belgium.

Persico said the team relay win gave her motivation and confidence going into Saturday's elite women's race.

"I expected it, but I didn't see it coming," Persico said. 'I still can't believe it and I'm glad it happened. The bronze medal means a lot. I have sacrificed a lot in the last few months.

She got a great start, sprinting from the second row behind teammate Eva Lechner and chasing fourth behind Brand, Alvarado, and Vos on the second lap. He caught up to them, but Vos and Brand were already clear.

"When I saw them in front of me on lap two, I started to believe," Vos said. 'When I saw them in front of me on the second lap, I began to believe.

But like Voss, who refused to pull away for Brand, Alvarado was cold-blooded and unwilling to work.

"After I passed her, [Ceylin] didn't want to pull away with me, and the group was getting closer, so I decided to go ahead and fight for myself."

Alvarado attacked on the last lap and Persico was able to contain him, but Alvarado was unlucky on the last curve of the course.

"I knew from the director, but I didn't know if she crashed or if it was a mechanical problem. I never looked back.

Persico had an excellent first full season of international racing, winning the Italian championships with flying colors. She races on the road in Valcar, but says she prefers cyclocross.

"I prefer cyclocross because it is a more personal sport, and on the road I win a lot of team victories and so far I work for others.

Expect Persico to be on the cyclocross podium in the future.