The Granfondo Matildica Merida: The Day After

The day after the Granfondo Matildica Merida, it’s time to start assessing the event. After Corso Garibaldi has emptied of the many cyclists, and the tables at Chiostro della Ghiara, where participants enjoyed their meals, and the awards stage have been dismantled, it’s time to reflect on the many highlights that characterized the 52nd edition.

The decision to move the start and finish to Corso Garibaldi proved to be a successful choice. Over the weekend, shops and bars welcomed many participants who stopped by for a good aperitif or breakfast before the race. The Chiostro della Ghiara was initially used for race pack and technical envelope collection, and on Sunday, it transformed into a “restaurant” for the pasta party and a venue for the category awards—a space rich in history that also proved functional and welcoming for all these activities.

The collaboration with Reggio Emilia cycling clubs paid off, with five Reggio teams among the top eight non-competitive teams with the most participants: Squadrareggio, ASD Ciclistica Correggio, Pol. Ciclistica Scandiano, ASD Ciclistica Bitone, and GC Sant’Anna. 

Another Reggio team, New Motor Bike from Scandiano, won the award for the team with the most competitive participants, ahead of Dubai Police Team, with other top teams including ASD Argon 18 Hicari Team Max, MG.K VIS-Promotech, and SC Rubierese ASD.

This local connection was further reinforced by the products chosen for the awards: Lambrusco from Cantina Santa Croce, Grissin Bon biscuits, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Balsamic Vinegar.

The race was deemed a success by many, with the courses offering spectacular landscapes through the Apennines, hills, and plains. The first arrivals in the Granfondo (155 km and 2100 m+) registered an average speed of 38 km/h. No serious accidents requiring public assistance were reported.

**Category Podiums:**

**MEDIOFONDO Men:**

- 18-34: Marco Rinaldi (Pigarella Multisport ASD), Paolo Totò (ASD Team Go Fast), Lorenzo Visani (BD Fast)

- 35-39: Leonardo Viglione (GS Passatore), Daniele Zuffanelli (ASD Mugello Toscana Bike), Fabio Castellini (Team Iaccobike ASD)

- 40-44: Riccardo Sartori (ASD Cicli Rossi), Santino Stavola (ASD Bike in Tour Vallo di Diano), Riccardo Donatello (ASD Cage Moveya VC Silvana)

- 45-49: Luca Carassai (ASD Team Go Fast), Thomas Duo’ (Adria Bike), Matteo Orsini (Team Borghi Racing)

- UCI 50-54: Wladimiro D’Ascenzo (Hair Gallery Cycling Team), Enzo Daniotti (Spezzotto Bike Team), Angelo Sanchioni (Team Crainox)

- UCI 55-59: Marcello Guarnieri (Levana Coop Ponte Tresa), Andrea Borsari (Alè Cipollini), Carlo Argentieri (Alè Cipollini)

- UCI 60-64: Stefano Colage’ (Team Bike Emotion, Q. Red), Antonio Capo (ASD Speedy Bike), Daniele Bertozzi (Team Del Capitano ASD)

- UCI 65-69: Ivano Soletti (Flandres Love – Sportland), Giovanni Mastrovito (Bici Camogli Golfo Paradiso), Sergio Landi (Cicli Conti GS)

- UCI 70-74: Alberto Bonfigli (Pedale Civitanovese ASD), Guido Caravaggio (ASD GC Varzi Veloplus Team), William Azzaloni (SC Rubierese ASD)

- UCI 75+: Luciano Rinaldi (Amorotto ASD), Renzo Compagnin (GS Praseccobiesse)

**MEDIOFONDO Women:**

- 18-34: Dalila Ivana Sasso (Pink Wave), Anna Cadorin (Alpilatte B.R.Pneu. Zanè), Elisa Leardini (ASD Cicli Matteoni-Bianchi)

- 35-39: Eva Liz Mognon (VI Bike – Mainetti – GT Trevisan), Liliana Pillon (GS Passatore), Stella Andreazzoli (CSM Puteaux)

- 40-44: Valentina De Pizzol (ACSI Nazionale Roma), Silvia Ceschin (ASD Swatt Club), Laura Gabbi (ASD Programma Auto)

- 45-49: Michela Bassi (ASD Oltrelabici), Silvia Faverzani (ASD Team Tre Mori Bike)

- UCI 50-54: Fulvia Scardovi (BD Fast), Isabella Gennari (ASD Oltrelabici), Michela Gazza (ASD Filippelli Vecchia Parma)

- UCI 55-59: Chiara Mezzetti (Team Virginia 1962), Lilia Degli Esposti (ASD Gruppo Sportivo Cicloamatori Parco dei Ciliegi), Adele Magnelli (ASD Filippelli Vecchia Parma)

- UCI 60-64: Gloria Gandini (ASD America Sport), Mariangela Prati (ASD Velo Club Casalasco)

- UCI 65-69: Nicoletta Magro (GS Praseccobiesse)

**GRANFONDO Men:**

- UCI 18-34: Alberto Nardin (Team Bike Pancalieri), Matteo Freddi (Domain ASD), Federico Pozzetto (MG.K VIS – Promotech)

- UCI 35-39: Danilo Celano (ASD Team Go Fast), Efrem Bonelli (Velo Club Garda), Ettore Carlini (Hair Gallery Cycling Team)

- UCI 40-44: Paolo Ciavatta (ASD Team Go Fast), Gianluca Poggioli (ASD Programma Auto), Luca Valentino Sofia (Team Solura)

- UCI 45-49: Emanuele Di Fiore (ASD Torello Cycling Team), Antonio Camozzi (MBHBank Colpack Ballan CSB), Giuseppe Pierotti (ASD Speedy Bike)

- 50-54: Ettore Prati (Italia Nuova Borgo Panigale), Diego Volpi (ASD Look Cycling Project), Antonio Grandi (ASD Argon 18 Hicari Team Max)

- 55-59: Roberto Brilli (ASD Max Lelli), Stefano Casagrande (El Coridor Team), Norves Lazzarini (Artusiana Bike)

- 60-64: Fausto Fornaciari (Squadrareggio ASD), Aldo Bruzzo (US Pontedecimo Ciclismo), Piero Biondi (ASD Gruppo Ciclistico Borello)

- 65-69: Stefano Ferrara (UC Carrè), Giordano Grisendi (New Motor Bike)

**GRANFONDO Women:**

- UCI 18-34: Giulia Medri (MG.K VIS – Promotech), Rebecca Badarello (Team Locca), Natalia Gulczynska

- UCI 35-39: Giulia Bisso (MG.K VIS – Promotech), Eva Pigna (ASD Team Perini Bike), Maria Elena Palmisano (ASD Garda Scott Matergia)

- UCI 40-44: Gioia Chioda (MG.K VIS – Promotech), Tullia Galiano (ASD Bike & Sport Team)

- UCI 45-49: Lisa De Cesare (Team Cingolani), Caterina Bavesi (ASD Programma Auto), Barbara Davolio (Prosecco Bike Novellara)

- 50-54: Claudia Salvi (Team RP Tensione IN), Vania Leardini (Team del Capitano ASD), Gabriella D’Inca’ (ASD Due Ruote Sport)