Ragusa invaded by bikes, thanks to the Granfondo
The southernmost Granfondo in Italy did not disappoint expectations: for one day the streets of Ragusa and the province were populated with bicycles instead of cars, for the second edition of the GF Città di Ragusa, which confirmed itself as a top-level event in the field of amateur two-wheelers. Over 300 arrived between the two routes, with the amateur race also combined with the competitive one for the junior and Under 23 categories.
The longest test involved a distance of 119.5 km with almost 1,800 meters of altitude difference. The test resulted in a two-man challenge, won by Nicola Genovese (Libertas Team Rosso Azzurri) who prevailed over Giuseppe Di Salvo (GDS Team Competition) by 20” in 3h12’46”. The third place finisher, Pietro Mina (Team Bike Siracusa-Noto) was much further behind at 2’04”. The Libertas Rosso Azzurri team also excelled among the women thanks to Maria Migliore, first in 4h00’01” with 1’59” over Ester Pisani (Team Nuova Avir) and 7’16” over the Maltese Diana Muscat (Team Greens).
The race awarded the regional titles, which went respectively to Ivan Troia (Privitera Bike/ELMT), Nicola Genovese (Lib.Team Rosso Azzurri/M1), Giuseppe Pellegrino (Team Nuova Avir/M2), Giuseppe Di Salvo (GDS Team Competition/M3 ), Giovanni Campobello (Team Sparkle/M4), Alfredo Stimoli (Pro Bike Ramacca/M5), Domenico Fiorito (Team Bike Ionica Riposto/M6), Giovanni Belluardo (Team Nuova Avir/M7), Giuseppe Cortese (Velonose Sicilia Cycling/M8 ), Maria Migliore (Team Rosso Azzurri/W4), Ester Pisani (Team Nuova Avir/W5).
In the medium route of 95 km for 1,313 meters success for Alessio Finocchi (Team Stefan) who in 2h33’11” trailed Mario Marino (Pedale Megarese Augusta) by 32″, who preceded Giuseppe Cicciari (Gioventù Pacese) and 4 other runners in the sprint . Giovanna Carnemolla (Team Rosso Azzurri) won the women’s race in 2h54’37”, behind her Laura Cannizzo (Bike Queen) at 8’24” and Grazia Maria Grasso (Team Nuova Avir) at 29’15”.
Luca Brancato (Cycling Team Nial Nizzoli) was the best in the competitive test. The junior finished in 3h16’15”, finishing together with his teammate Matteo Paltrinieri, third was Giovanni Distefano (Naturosa Bike & Co.) at 1’09”, Giorgio Beretti, Brancato’s teammate, first among the Under 23s.
A great day of sport experienced in Ragusa, thanks also to the collaboration of the Municipality and many local associations and sponsors who guaranteed their collaboration for a competition which, despite being only in its second year, is already in the hearts of Sicilian fans and not only.
