Recastello interrupts the home team’s streak. After eleven editions of consecutive successes, the hosts Atletica Valli Bergamasche give up the scepter, who at the end of a relay fought until the last stage leave room for the triumph of the trio from La Recastello Radici Group, who also dominated the women’s individual event.
Many Italians competing in the 19th edition of the Valli Bergamasche Trophy, held this afternoon in Leffe (BG), two weeks after the European Championships in Annecy (France), a key event of the season for Italian mountain running.
In the women’s individual test, run on the same 8100 meters as the men’s track, the home duel between the next Italians rewards Vivien Bonzi (La Recastello Radici Group) who confirms the excellent form already shown at the recent Italian Championships in Lanzada (So) . The race record remains unbeaten by around thirty seconds, but in 38’47” her victory over teammate Alice Gaggi was clear, with a distance of 47″ at the finish line, especially by virtue of a decisive forcing in the first part of the race in climb. As in the last edition, another black-green jacket from La Recastello completes the podium, with Beatrice Bianchi 1’59” behind the top of the race at the finish line.
Among the best five of the day, Samantha Galassi is back in fourth place, with Recastello again, capable of finishing in 41’50 ahead of the eternal Nives Carobbio (Atl. Paratico/42’33”).
In the men’s relay, with the classic three stages following one another on the same track as the women’s event, there is an immediate brawl in the first stage, with Henri Aymonod (Us Malonno) launching the first attack. On the top of Monte Beio, however, the host Cesare Maestri takes the lead, with a handful of seconds of margin over Francesco Puppi (Atl. Valle Brembana) and Aymonod himself. About twenty seconds later Isacco Costa (La Recastello) passes, with Marco Filosi (Valchiese) in his wake. Along the descent that leads to the first changeover in Piazza della Libertà, however, the cards are shuffled: Puppi changes to the lead in 32’25”, coming close to the course record, with Maestri at 3”, Isacco Costa at 12”, Filosi at 16 ” and Aymonod at 42”: All the best times of the day ultimately emerge from this first stage launched at a frenetic pace.
In the second half, Xavier Chevrier (Valli Bergamasche), returning after months of absence due to injury, uses all his experience to keep a lively Luciano Rota (La Recastello) at bay, who gives the Valle d’Aosta 34″ at the changeover, while Atletica Valle Brembana with Nicola Mostacchetti and Valchiese from Trentino with David Caresani are further behind, fighting for the third step of the podium. The decisive change takes place in the second part of the last fraction, where Andrea Elia overtakes Luca Cantoni as predicted, giving Luciano Merla’s team a historic success in the final time of 1h39’38”. Second place therefore at the Valli Bergamasche, 1 minute behind, while another team from Bergamo, Atletica Valle Brembana, closes in third place, with Manuel Togni in the last fraction at 3’47”. Fourth place for La Recastello Team B with Fabio Ruga, Iacopo Brasi and Alessandro Zanga ahead of Us Malonno with Ermete Fornoni and Gianola following Henri Aymonod’s effort.
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1970-01-01 00:00:00
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