On Sunday Italian Manuel Senni won Nove Colli Gran Fondo, the original and oldest gran fondo in the world, with German Monika Dietl the women’s champion.

The 52nd edition of the storied race was to originally take place in May, but was cancelled and rescheduled due to deadly flooding along the Adriatic coast.

As rain poured down on 6871 trash-bag covered cyclists trying to stay dry, the 170km gran fondo started from Cesenatico at 07:00, with 31 year-old Senni crossing the finish line four-and-a-half hours later solo at 4:33:10. His victory marks the first time since 1994 that a local Cesenaticense rider has stood atop the podium. Luca Chiesa (4:36:12) and Luca Raggio (4:39:39) earned second and third place.

After finishing third last year, German cyclist Monika Dietl won the women’s race in 5:24:29, with Sonia Passuti (05:31:54) and Elisa Benedet (05:37:48) filling out the podium.

In the 130km medio fondo race Ettore Carlini (3:28:56) emerged victorious for the men, while Alessia Bortoli (3:43:46) secured the women’s win.

Wet roads and heavy rain forced almost 3000 registered riders to not even start Nove Colli, with some of those that did, including former cycling superstar Miguel Indurain, seeking alternative shorter routes back to Cesenatico due to miserable riding conditions.

Photo Credit: Nove Colli

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