Stephane Cognet (Team Bike Shop premium) won the Fausto Coppi 2024 Granfondo. The cyclist born in 1981, from Aix en Provence, third in 2023, concluded his race in 5 hours 54 minutes and 23 seconds and preceded Manual Caddeoborn in 1986, e Andrea Gallo (second in 2023). Following Alain Seletto, Giacomo Giordano, Andrea Cismondi (Pepino Cycles)winner of the Mediofondo in 2023, Alberto Botasso, Mattia Stoppa, Simone Ricca and Daniele Marino (Vignolo Cycling). In 11th place Paul BaraleTherefore Massimo Zunino and Benoit Boutibonnes.
In the women’s field victory by Robert Bussone (Roadman Team), born in 1983, 14th overall, in 6h29’04, ahead of Giulia Bisso and Annalisa Prato. Photo fb pageLa Fausto Coppi.
COMMENTS
Stéphane Cognet (OM.CC) – Winner of the 35th International GF La Fausto Coppi Officine Mattio: “After the first climb I was in a group of 5/6 runners and we were 3 minutes behind the front of the race. At the start of the Fauniera, I left the chasing group and joined the 4 who were in front. I made the climb alone at full throttle following my own pace and, after the Sanctuary of San Magno, I overtook Andrea Gallo who was in the lead. I checked on the Madonna del Colletto.
It’s a nice climb but it’s not too fast and I managed to keep the gap. I’ve been living in Bordighera for 4 months. I’ve been a professional for two seasons and, in the past, I’ve already raced La Fausto Coppi Officine Mattio 5 times, always coming within a step of the podium. This year I finally won it. I’ve been cycling since I was 14 and I’m 42. Experience certainly played an important role because I knew that after the Fauniera the race is not over yet”.
Roberta Bussone (ASD ROADMAN TEAM) – Winner of the 35th International GF La Fausto Coppi Officine Mattio: “I had already participated in two editions in 2009 and 2010, doing the medium route. After doing various granfondos this year, I attempted the long one. It was a very demanding race also because I often found myself alone. On the climbs I tried to give everything I had, on the descents and in the transfer between one climb and the other not to waste too much time. Even though my legs were tired in the final, I managed to do the last climb well too, which is why I am really satisfied with my time. In life I am an employee of Rai Pubblicità, I work for the tax office. I try to find moments in my free time to train. I do it for passion. I have done 8 granfondos this year: I started with the SanremoSanremo, then the Coppa Piemonte, the BraBra and this year I won all the granfondos at the women’s level. I hope to continue my season like now. I love the climbs and I love cycling at altitude. I prefer the granfondos with a lot of climbing because that’s where I make the difference”.
Pieter Frolichs (RATPENAT.CC) – Winner of the Mediofondo La Fausto Coppi Officine Mattio: “It was a difficult start with some attacks, but the group was still compact when we started the climb. We were in a group of about fifteen people. There was still someone ahead of the Fauniera climb, we regrouped and then two of us climbed to the summit, continuing together until the last climb. We had decided to stay together on the descent and then give everything, but unfortunately Gabriele Novaira had a technical problem on the descent, so I lost him. However, I pushed as hard as I could until the finish line, I didn’t see him and I didn’t realize that he was so close. I know that last year Gabriele also came second, but I think that next year he will be first because he deserved to win as much as I did.”
Sonia Passuti (TEAM STAWELD BUZZOLAN) – Winner of the Mediofondo La Fausto Coppi Officine Mattio: “Yesterday we arrived late because it’s almost 5 hours from my house. I would have liked to do the long one but this morning I was too tired and so I decided to listen to my legs and head and do the medium one. On the first climb I set my pace and slowly went away. From there I found three guys who gave me a hand on the descents and false plans. Congratulations to the organization that manned all the intersections everywhere: hats off to safety because now there is a lot of risk on intersections and roads. It was the first time I cycled in the Cuneo area and I must say that it is truly spectacular. Too bad it’s so far from my house! But congratulations because the areas are beautiful and you should have some time to be able to come here more often. The climbs are wonderful, the landscapes fantastic. I then saw that the people of Cuneo care a lot about this sport, perhaps it can surpass Tuscany.”
Davide Lauro, organizer of the 35th International GF La Fausto Coppi Officine Mattio: “A great promotion for our territory. This year, something truly magical happened in the history of La Fausto Coppi. The edition was won in terms of the men’s overall podiums by foreign athletes: by the Dutchman Frolichs for the mediofondo, and by the Frenchman Cognet for the granfondo. This seems to us to be a good omen for the coming years to consolidate the internationality of this event”.
Emma Mana, organizer of the 35th GF Internazionale La Fausto Coppi Officine Mattio: “We are enthusiastic about this 35th edition due to the number of participants: we have exceeded 2,300 from over 36 countries. More than 20% of our members come from abroad! A great promotion for our territory.”
