Gloria Tocchi and Gianluca Micozzi celebrate winning the mixed relay at the UIPM World Cup in Cairo ©UIPM

Italy prevented France from winning a clean sweep at the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) World Cup in Cairo as Gloria Tocchi and Gianluca Micozzi claimed the gold medal in the mixed relay.

France's Elodie Clouvel and Valentin Belaud were aiming to win their third gold medals in consecutive days after their success in the individual events at the Platinum Club

But they conceded 44 penalties in riding and this enabled Tocchi and Micozzi to start the laser-run with a lead that they managed to protect.

Clouvel and Belaud could not catch their rivals but they did manage to overtake Kazakhstan's Elena Potapenko and Vladislav Sukharev to claim the silver medals. 

That meant France finished the opening UIPM World Cup of the season with two gold and two silver medals.

The groundwork for Italy's victory was laid during the fencing and riding.

Gianluca Micozzi's gold medal in the mixed relay at the UIPM World Cup in Cairo, alongside Gloria Tocchi, represented a breakthrough at senior level for the Italian youngster ©UIPM
Gianluca Micozzi's gold medal in the mixed relay at the UIPM World Cup in Cairo, alongside Gloria Tocchi, represented a breakthrough at senior level for the Italian youngster ©UIPM

Competing alongside his experienced partner, victory in Cairo was a big senior breakthrough for 21-year-old Micozzi.

"Today was a very difficult day but we still succeeded in the end," he said. 

"Here in Cairo, the event was wonderful, 

"it is a nice place here and the club is great and the organisation was perfect.

“In 2018, I aspire to participate in more international competitions like this one and to have good results in those too."

The next UIPM World Cup is due to take place in Los Angeles, host city of the 2028 Olympic Games, between March 24 and 31.