Osimo, 1 July 2024 – The 23rd Adalberto Gabrielloni Grand Prix was a hot race from all points of view: the great heat did not make the pedaling easy for the 74 starters, but the finale was more heated than ever with the attack launched two laps from the end from the Gulp Val Vibrata standard bearer Mattia Persiani. The 17 year old from Villa Rosa, a hamlet of Martinsicuro, on the border with the Marche, in his first year as a junior, did not disappoint expectations. As an excellent climber, he was able to gain ground on the climbs, keeping the group at a safe distance and conquering with such determination and talent one of the most prestigious races on the regional calendar and in the whole of central Italy. Excellent second place for the Australian Jeremy Smith of the Veleka Team, who despite the fall two laps from the end, in which other teammates were involved, immediately got up and chased the pacemaker until finishing just 13 seconds away. Armin Caselli of the Paletti Cycling Team instead won the sprint for third place. The race got underway as soon as the flag was lowered by Adalberto Gabrielloni’s wife and his nephew. The first of the 9 scheduled laps, for a total of 117 km, were characterized by continuous shots and counter shots. The first noteworthy attempt was made by Umberto Costantini and Domenico di Toro of Gulp Val Vibrata. The Abruzzo team directed by Mauro Sandroni, who as an amateur won the Lamonica trophy in 1997 receiving the prize from the hands of Gabrielloni himself, despite having 4 members in the race, was able to move well by taking advantage of the strong harmony between its riders. On the fourth to last lap, 9 leaders tried to accelerate, but the suffocating heat immediately compromised the compactness of the group, which was reabsorbed by the group. It is no coincidence that the race ended later than expected with the riders travelling at an average of 36 km per hour. The rest was a beautiful solo by Mattia Persiani who won the Gran Premio della Montagna, managing to detach the group by up to 1 minute and 20” and was thus able to celebrate his first victory of the season with arms raised. In Campocavallo there was no shortage of entertainment for the many enthusiasts present, including the new mayor of Osimo Francesco Pirani, the president of the legislative assembly of the Marche Dino Latini, the president of Coni Marche Fabio Luna (among other things a former rider of the Campocavallo Cycling Group) and the president of the Marche Cycling Federation Lino Secchi. All the authorities complimented the Campocavallo Cycling Club led by president Giorgio Antonelli. Thanks to his commitment and that of many volunteers and sponsors it was once again possible to remember a great man of sport like Adalberto Gabrielloni which has contributed to increasing the city’s reputation in the world of two wheels. The next event will be scheduled for Sunday 29 September with the final race of the rookie category, the Coppa Beata Vergine Addolorata, now in its 55th edition.
