Together with Paris-Roubaix, the Tour of Lombardy, the Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Milan-Sanremo it is part of the “monument classics”, the five most prestigious and important road cycling races. They call it the “Spring Classic” or “Classicissima”: it runs in one day and averages almost 300 kilometres.
The 2024 edition was won in March by Jasper Philipsen, Belgian runner from Alpecin-Deceuninck, who covered the 288 kilometers from Pavia to the finish line in Via Roma in Sanremo in 6 hours, 14 minutes and 44 seconds. The fastest Milan-Sanremo ever.
Then there’s the Granfondo Milan-Sanremo not competitive which was held on Sunday 9 June, proposing the same path that the great champions follow.
And then there are them: Matteo Bosca30 years of Bene Vagienna, e Ivano Camperi, 41 years old from Fossano, who decided to tackle this undertaking in Graziella. They left on Friday evening at 11pm under the Milan cathedral and reached Sanremo in 17 hours and 20 minutes: “We had to get ahead of the amateur cyclists by a day because it was impossible for us to stay within the 12-hour time limit.”
They traveled 300 kilometers aboard two vintage folding bikes with 20-inch wheels: “The bike doesn’t perform well, so it makes itself felt. It doesn’t have a gearbox and on steep points we had to push by hand. But the enthusiasm was high and the head and mentality won. Then we stopped for the classic supplies at the fountain or at the bakery to add petrol…”
Why do they do it? ”There is no underlying reason. It is a sporting activity with a playful and fun spirit. We certainly don’t do it for competition, but to do the businesses of great professionals our way”.
Clearly visible, complete with front and rear lighting, they crossed the Lombard and Piedmont plains, to climb the Turchino and thus reach the Ligurian Riviera. From Genoa they coasted along the Ligurian Sea to the finish line in Sanremo, with motorists and cyclists stopping to congratulate them: “On the Aurelia we were approached by many cars. They charged at us shouting ‘You are great, you are really doing it!’. Many cyclists asked us to do some of the road together. They took videos and photos of us…”. In fact, their intent was clearly visible, complete with a wine box branded “Milano-Sanremo” on the roof rack.
A feat not for everyone: Matteo Bosca he rides his bike regularly and Ivano Camperi runs in the mountains. In short, they have a basic sporting preparation that allows them to face impossible challenges.
They certainly won’t stop here: “During our rides we have a lot of ttime to plan these undertakings. Let’s hope there are more. But first we close them and then we spread them.”
