The 50th edition of Granfondo Matildica in Reggio Amilia, Italy hosted the 2022 UEC Granfondo European Championships on Sunday 17 July, with two of Italy’s best amateurs finishing on top of the podium after racing 159 kilometers with 2650 meters of ascent.
In a sprint finish composed solely of top Italian riders, 28 year-old Matteo Cigala (TEAM DAN MORRISSEY – MCCARTHY INSURANCE GROUP – PACTIMO) won the Granfondo gold medal by over two bike lengths, leaving everyone else strung out in his wake as he crossed the finish line. Tomasso Elettrico took the silver medal and Ettore Carlini the bronze.
| 1 | CIGALA MATTEO ITA, TEAM DAN MORRISSEY – MCCARTHY INSURANCE GROUP – PACTIMO | 4:18:48 – |
| 2 | ELETTRICO TOMMASO ITA, TEAM CPS | 4:18:48 +1 |
| 3 | CARLINI ETTORE ITA, HAIR GALLERY CYCLING TEAM | 4:18:49 +2 |
| 4 | SCAIA GIULIO ITA, VIVO-MG.K VIS-DAL COLLE | 4:18:49 +2 |
| 5 | POZZETTO FEDERICO ITA, VIVO-MG.K VIS-DAL COLLE | 4:18:49 +2 |
| 6 | MIOTTO ANDREA ITA, TEAM ASNAGHI GRANFONDO | 4:18:50 +2 |
| 7 | MAUTI ROSSANO ITA, AP07 TEAM-CICLI ROSSI | 4:18:50 +3 |
| 8 | BONANOMI STEFANO ITA, ASD TEAM MP FILTRI | 4:18:50 +3 |
| 9 | BONGIORNO FRANCESCO MANUEL ITA, VIVO-MG.K VIS-DAL COLLE | 4:18:55 +8 |
| 10 | CINI FABIO ITA, ASD CAPITANI MINUTERIE | 4:19:20 +33 |
The women’s Granfondo race did not come down to a sprint finish as 40 year-old Elena Cairo (TRANCHESE CYCLING BRUSCIANO) commandingly soloed to victory with over a four minute lead on her younger rivals. Elena Maria Palmisano earned the silver medal and Anna Biani the bronze.
| 1 | CAIRO ELENA ITA, TRANCHESE CYCLING BRUSCIANO (NA) | 4:51:29 – |
| 2 | PALMISANO MARIA ELENA ITA, A.S.D. GARDA SCOTT MATERGIA | 4:56:06 +4:38 |
| 3 | BIANI ANNA ITA, TEAM ARMISTIZIO ZEROLITE | 5:00:23 +8:54 |
| 4 | CHIODI GIOIA ITA, VIVO-MG.K VIS-DAL COLLE | 5:03:36 +12:07 |
| 5 | ITKIN POLONA SLO | 5:08:57 +17:28 |
| 6 | MANFREDI MARA ITA, VIVO-MG.K VIS-DAL COLLE | 5:08:58 +17:29 |
| 7 | SANTELIZ VANESSA VEN, LA FUGA ASD | 5:08:58 +17:29 |
| 8 | BOTTINI EMILIE ITA, ASD ZEROTEST | 5:16:43 +25:14 |
| 9 | MAZZOLIN ANASTASIA ITA, DANIELI SPORTING CLUB – ASD | 5:23:14 +31:46 |
| 10 | MARAMOTTI FABIA ITA, SQUADRAREGGIO ASD | 5:24:42 +33:13 |
In the mediofondo event (125km, +1760 meters), Sergei Pomoshnikov (TEAM SILDOM GARDA) was first, followed by Riccardo Sartori and Davide Spiazzi. Luisa Isonni (BOARIO ASD) was the fastest women, with Eleonora Calvi di Coenzo finishing second and Olga Cappiello taking third.
UEC Granfondo and Mediofondo championship jerseys and gold medals were also awarded by standard 10-year age/gender categories.
Full Granfondo Mataldica plus UEC Granfondo and Mediofondo Championship results HERE.
Photos: Reggionline, Granfondo Mataldica
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