The second 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championship qualifying race took place 1-2 October in Varese, Italy at Granfondo Tre Valli Varesine with foreigners winning the time trial and Italians dominating the gran fondo road race on completely closed roads.

On Saturday 162 competitors took to the start house in Varese for a 22 kilometers long individual time trial, with Liechtensteiner Michele Paonne (RV – MAUREN) recording the fastest time of 28:41.30, followed by Frenchman Fabian Secundo (28:43.65) and Italian Diego Venturi (28:45.20).

For the women it was Czech rider Monika Veitovà (CYKLOTRÉNINK – FRANTIŠEK TRKAL) who stopped the clock first at 34:39.9 to win by less than 0.5 seconds. Italians Olga Cappiello (34:40.25)and Linda Venturino (35:04.25) completed the podium.

In the 126km gran fondo it was an all Italian men’s podium. Italian Luca Vergallito (OM.CC) attacked almost from the start and soloed 110km in 3:16:47 to impressively earn the win the hard way. He was four minutes ahead of Rossano Mauti (3:20:33) and Matteo Cigala (3:20:41).

For the gran fondo women it was Sara Mazzorana (TEAM CONGOLANI) who won a 3-up all Italian sprint to claim overall victory in 3:53:46, followed by Martina Trevisiol and Samantha Arnaudo with the same time.

The medio fondo, 99km, was won by Mattia Manfreda (2:44:15) for the men and by former professional Noemi Cantele (3:00:25) for the women.

Over 2000 riders from 35 countries participated in the world championship qualifying races, with the top 20% of finishers in reach age/gender category earning a starting spot at the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships next August in Glasgow, Scotland UK.

Complete UCI Granfondo Tre Valli Varesine Road results HERE.

Complete UCI Granfondo Tre Valli Varesine Time Trial results HERE.

Photos: Granfondo Tre Valli Varesine