Granfondo Squali, Italy’s largest granfondo in over a year, was held Sunday 16 May in Cattolica, just four days after Australian pro cyclist Caleb Ewan won the fifth stage of the Giro d’Italia in the same city.

With Cattolica still adorned in Giro pink, the city’s shark mascot, Pasqualo, presided over start-line festivities for a field of 2000+ would-be cycling sharks hoping to snag victory. At 08:00 the race started from in front of the world famous Aquarium of Cattolica along the Adriatic Riviera. The 95 kilometre route with 1458 metres of climbing guided riders through some of the most beautiful inland areas of the Marche region.

The Men’s race came down to a sprint from a select group of seven riders who pulled away in the final kilometres. Pietro Dutto easily won the sprint to claim his first Squali victory in 2:29:13 with an averge speed of 38.1kph. Rounding out the podium in second place was Diego Frignani with Fabio Fadini in third.

The Women’s race did not come down to a sprint as Debora Morri soloed across the finish line in 2:45:27 with over a one minute lead on second place Michela Bergozza and almost two minutes on third place Emilie Bottini.

Granfondo Squali-Trek is one of the most prominent gran fondos in Italy and is part of the Alé Challenge, the Nalini Road Series, the Zero Wind Show, the Romagna Challenge and the Marche Marathon.

PHOTOS: Granfondo Squali

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