On a beautiful day with autumn in the air Gran Fondo del Dragone took place for the third time in Belluno, Italy, with over 500 riders battling it out on a 117 kilometers long route with a torturous uphill finish on Alp del Nevegal’s 14% slopes.

Departing on Sunday 3 September from Piazza Martiri, in the center of Belluno, and arriving first atop Nevegal in 3:25:12 was former Italian pro Manuel Senni (CRAINOX) with a forty-five second lead over Patrick Facchini. Paolo Castelnuovo finished third, almost two minutes down on Senni, with the American Fortunato Ferrara next.

For the women, victory was claimed by Erika Jesenko (NEW MOLINI DOLO) who reached the Nevegal summit in 3:50:37. Behind her, Maria Elena Palmisano was a distant eight minutes and Sonia Passuti thirteen minutes down.

In true Italian gran fondo style, all riders were rewarded with pulled pork sandwiches, pasta and beer to celebrate afterwards.

Photo Credit: Facebook/gfdeldragone

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