BUDAPEST – Valerio Cleri of Italy has won the 25km gold medal at the European championships today.

Cleri, a silver medallist in the 10km event behind German Lurz, closed the race in 5h16:20.3, ahead of French swimmers Bertrand Venturi (5h16:36.7) and Joanes Hedel (5:18:39.6).

It is the first international medal for 23-year-old Venturi, while Hedel, 30, won silver [behind Cleri] at the 2008 European champs in Dubrovnik.

The tournament will end tomorrow with the women’s 25km race.

Also see:

Lurz wins 10km European title in Budapest
Aug 4, 2010

Italian Cleri wins 25k at European open water championships
Sep 13, 2008