380 cyclists lucky enough to gain entry for yesterday’s Gran Fondo Garda Bottecchia race between beautiful Lake Garda and the brilliant white Dolomite mountains of Northern Italy were treated to a whirlwind start as gale conditions tossed barriers and banners asunder.
Propelled by a strong tailwind, the peloton flew down vineyard lined roads and up short steep climbs. Later, bright sunshine greeted riders as Thomas Bergamini and Simone Penzo sprinted for the “W” under a rebuilt and reattached finisher banner.
Bergamini got the best of Penzo, pipping him by a wheel to earn the win in 2:21:17. Luca Porfido was one second back to take third place.
Streaming across the finish line 30 seconds later was a large pack of riders sprinting for non-podium positions.
Michela Giuseppina Bergozza finished in 2:34:37 to win the Women’s race with Elena Pancari finishing second and Valentina De Pizzol third.
The event might turn out to be one of only a handful of Italian amateur cycling races taking place this spring due a string of cancellations and the resurgence of Covid-19 infections.
Complete Gran Fondo Garda Bottecchia results here:
GRAN FONDO DAILY NEWS 