Photo by Marchetti/Cycling Com – Ufficio Stampa GF Marco Pantani
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Once again the 6th edition of the Granfondo Internazionale Marco Pantani – start and finish in Aprica – offered a weekend of strong emotions. Since Friday athletes and supporters – this year we have touched the highest number of participants ( 2.940 in all ) ever – reached Aprica hoping to take part in an event full of stunning moments. Cyclists from all four corners of the world were almost countless: 643 in all, with Holland starring even 243. Also noteworthy the large number of Australians, who registered in 20.
As by program, in the presence of the mayor Carla Cioccarelli the race starts at 7.00, set against a backdrop of thousands of cyclamen-coloured confetti thrown into the air by a cannon.
The irreplaceable work carried out by the organizing committee as well as by the large number of highly valued local volunteers has also to be mentioned. Thanks to all of them we succeeded in increasing the number of refreshment stands along our routes, especially along the steep ascents. The strategic location of these stands, brilliantly planned by Vittorio Mevio, allowed many participants to join this race without carrying any water bottle.
As regards the high number of female competitors, despite our challenging routes many decided to take part in the long one. As a result, for the first time the victory was won by a foreign athlete: Edith Van Den Brande (CycleTours Amsterdam) from Belgium. Second ranked Daniela Passalacqua (GC Eurobike Genova), while third Daniela Gaggini (Makako Team).
After the tiring but exciting weekend, Vittorio Mevio says: “I warmly thank the 2.940 participants in the 2010 edition. See you next year. The race will change its name but our “granfondo” will always be dedicated to Marco Pantani”.
Information on the official photographs:
The official photographs of the event will be sent directly to the address stated in the registration form by FOTO
CASTAGNOLI – Cesenatico.
For further information: www.fotocastagnoli.it
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Seen as one of the most titled and classic long-distance cycle races, this event is clearly aimed at becoming more and more international. Among the 3000 competitors of the previous edition we had athletes not only from Italy but also from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Macedonia, Poland, Czech Republic, San Marino, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Hungary, USA, Venezuela and finally Holland (starring even 241 athletes).
Registration fees are officially opened and will be accepted until 8pm on Saturday 19th June 2010. The registration on line will be accepted via the web site www.championchip.it. The registration fee is of 40 euros and includes the race pack, refreshments, showers, pasta party, mechanical and health assistance (both Saturday and Sunday), part of which will be donated to charity through the “Marco Pantani Foundation onlus”.
For safety’s sake and logistics no more than 3000 athletes will be allowed to take part in the race. For every group of ten entries, one will be awarded free of charge.
The long and the medium route (long:172 km – difference in height of 4500 m; medium: 152 km – difference in height of 3500m) are confirmed. Both characterized by the legendary steep slopes of Gavia and Mortirolo (coming from Mazzo), the long route also includes the ascent of Santa Cristina just before the finishing line.
Following the great success we met thanks to some changes introduced in the 2009 short route, we obviously confirm our decision. The organizer, Mr Vittorio Mevio, hoping to arouse the interest of those who are generally a bit scared by the steep slopes of Gavia and Mortirolo, has conceived a very special route aimed at giving you a lot of fun and emotions. You will enjoy 85 km of route as well as a difference in height of 1.850 m.
We are very glad to inform you that even this year the athletes of the Pantani race will enjoy the very special emotion of regarding themselves as “girini”: In fact, the next Giro d’Italia will include the Santa Cristina and the Mortirolo ascent in its 19th lap (finish in Aprica) and the Gavia ascent in the 20th lap from Bormio to Ponte di Legno.
All participants will be given a commemorative jersey they will have to wear during the race. Like in the past, it will be a copy of the Pirate’s jersey, a copy of one he used to wear during his glorious career. After the famous red dot, green and white ones, now we propose a new memorable jersey to collect: the cyclamen-coloured one. On request, it’s possible to reserve the matching cycling shorts at the time of the registration.
As in the past edition the organizing committee is glad to offer the special uphill time trial certificate. All athletes registered in the long or in the medium route will be timed in the stretch of the road from Mazzo to P.sso Mortirolo, while those registered in the short route will be timed from Monno to P.sso Mortirolo. In order to get the certificate of participation reporting your timekeeping or this special one, you simply need to download it from the website www.granfondomarcopantani.com (not before 28/06/2010).
Once again the organizing committee would be glad to offer to everybody – spectators, relatives, friends and so on – the possibility of enjoying the famous and legendary Mortirolo. For this reason many shuttle buses will be put at your disposal. We will drive your friends and relatives till to the top, giving them the opportunity to support you while you are reaching the GPM (King of the Mountains).
Among the latest offers there is a new website in 4 languages. The site www.granfondomarcopantani.com reports not only all pre and post – race information but also the most recent news.
The international long-distance cycle race Marco Pantani is following the development of social networks, as well as blogs and forums on cycling, with close attention. Therefore, we have just created a special site concerning this event on the social network Facebook where you can share your personal opinions.
The Granfondo Pantani is confirmed to be included in the Circuits Coppa Lombardia, Nobili, Super Nobili, Brevetto dello Scalatore, Gran Trofeo, the Queens of the Alps, World Cup Amatour and Gran Combinata Ciclismo.
Programme
Friday 25
at 2pm opening of the expo area (until 11pm)
at 9pm musical evening
at 9am opening of the expo area (until 11pm)
at 5.30pm pre-race briefing in the hall of the Office District
at 6.30pm welcome drink in the expo area
at 6am opening of the starting grid
at 7am start
