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Snow made for Brutal Conditions at the 23rd Gimondi Bianchi Gran Fondo!

23rd edition held in Bergamo, won by Federico Brevi and Ilaria Lombardo. Inclement weather conditions again the hallmark of the Italy's top cycling event

Bergamo (Italy), May 5th, 2019 - In the name of the “magnificent 7” winners of the three Grand Tours, the 23rd edition Granfondo Gimondi Bianchi held this weekend in Bergamo will be recorded as one of the less fortunate in terms of bad weather.

The last time it rained and snowed was 2012, when the long course was closed (as well as in the previous year), while this year the medium course was also unavailable.

“Such a bad weather was unpredictable in May, but we did our best to carry out a safe and regular race" – said organizer Giuseppe Manenti "We regret the cold suffered by the riders, however we believe any our decision was taken with accuracy and good faith”.

Photo: Inclement weather conditions welcomed the riders on the Selvino climb (Credits Marco Quaranta)

Inclement weather conditions welcomed the riders on the Selvino climb (Credits Marco Quaranta)

Only part of the 4,065 registered riders set off from Bergamo (with Felice Gimondi and the Mayor Giorgio Gori as starters) to tackle the shortest 89.4-km piccolo fondo including Colle del Pasta, Colle del Gallo and Selvino (temperature of 3C at the top!).

In spite of unfavourable weather conditions, the snowfall on Selvino took everyone by surprise, while the organizers brought relief to some 50 frozen riders on top, redirecting the back of the peloton towards Bergamo.

Federico Brevi, a 32-year-old worker born in Bergamo living in Tirano, claimed the win in a time of 2h 29m 29s, ahead of Germany’s Maximilian Hornung, head of a pharmaceutical laboratory nearby Frankfurt. Third spot for Bergamo's Luca Cantini.

Photo: Federico Brevi celebrates win at 23rd Granfondo Gimondi Bianchi (Credits Marco Quaranta)

Federico Brevi celebrates win at 23rd Granfondo Gimondi Bianchi (Credits Marco Quaranta)

In the women’s race, Ilaria Lombardo, 49-year-old advertising agent from Parma, scored her fourth win on via Marzabotto's finish, while runner-up Aisling Flanagan from Ireland was disqualified for transponsder’s wrong set-up on her bike. As a consequence, Barbara Zambotti and Erika Natati, second and third respectively, rounded out the podium.

Photo: A smiling Felice Gimondi at the Granfondo's start (Credits Marco Quaranta).

A smiling Felice Gimondi at the Granfondo's start (Credits Marco Quaranta).