The El Diablo Cycling Festival, three gran fondo events over three days in honor of former champion Claudio Chiappucci, kicked-off on Friday in Porto Sant’Elpidio, Italy with a 6 kilometre individual time trial along the Adriatic seafront.

250 cyclists came from all across Italy to participate in the “Ride Eat Drink Repeat” weekend themed event with options to participate in one, two or all three rides – depending how they felt after the drinking part.

Tommaso Poli (Polisportiva Milleluci Ciclismo) recorded the fastest time trial on the flat 6 kilometre course, completing it in 8:42.398. Next was Giacomo Sgherri (Alma Juventus Fano) in 8:44.795, followed by Niccolò Iacchi (Polisportiva Milleluci Ciclismo) at 8:54.324.

On Saturday riders tackled the 91 kilometre Gran Fondo Porto Sant’Elpidio course where the lack of any long climbs yielded an atypical large field sprint finish. Even a short stretch of gravel was not enough to break up the peloton.

Manuel Fedele (Team Go Fast) lived up to his team’s name, easily outsprinted all challengers on the final run to the line. Alessandro D’Andrea (​​Studio Moda) and Mirko Marcucci (Team Specialized-Terni) completed the podium in second and third place respectively.

The three-day event concludes with the 129 kilometre Gran Fondo Tre Santuari on Sunday.

PHOTOS: El Diablo Cycling Festival

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