Arnaudo and Senni fastest at Granfondo Stelvio Santini as pass closed due to treacherous weather

Almost 2,000 starters tackled the 11th edition of the Granfondo Stelvio Santini, cementing its place as an international event, bringing the best of amateur cycling to the roads of the Alta Valtellina every year. 1,645 competitors representing 50 nations set off from the starting line

Due to worsening weather conditions starting from mid-morning, the organizing committee made the difficult decision to cut off access to the road to the Stelvio pass in Bormio. 

Photo: A few of the 2,000 riders who rode just the Stelvio made it to the top until it was closed as the weather turned treacherous @Credit: Erika Porta

Presenting the six cyclists who were named Kings and Queens of the Mountains at the eleventh edition of the Valtellina event.

Samantha Arnaudo and Manuel Senni set the best total times on the Long route. On the Medium route, the winners were Sarah Palfader e Federico Bazzucchi. And congratulations to the champions who "only" climbed the Stelvio Pass Milena Felici e Stefano Scala.

"With this event, we want to share our passion for cycling and keep healthy competition alive among two-wheel aficionados. During the Granfondo Stelvio Santini, the competitors have the chance to ride through some of the most important places in the history of cycling in complete safety," explained Mario Zangrando, head of cycling at the US Bormiese, the event organiser.

Joining the participants at the starting line were former professional road racing cyclists Alessandro Vanotti and Joaquim "Purito" Rodriguez, European triathlon champion Giulio Molinari, German bike influencer Marta Swiatlon, and sports nutritionist Elena Casiraghi.

Photo: 2,000 riders warmed up on the opening steep climb of the Teglio climb before the brutal Mortirolo climb @Credit: Erika Porta

The Granfondo Stelvio Santini Podium

As per tradition, the best climbers for each route (sharing the finish line at 2,757 metres on the Stelvio Pass) received the title of King or Queen of the Mountains in honour of their feat.

Due to worsening weather conditions starting from mid-morning, the organizing committee made the difficult decision to cut off access to the road to the Stelvio pass in Bormio. Safety reasons linked to the sudden change in weather with heavy downpours and the lowering of temperatures.

On the Long route, for the women Samantha Arnaudo del Team OM.CC e and for the men Manuel Senni del Team Crainox triumphed then over the Teglio and Mortirolo climbs.

Photo: As per tradition, the best climbers for each route received the title of King or Queen of the Mountains

The best total time on Teglio and Stelvio for the Medium route, spanning 137 kilometres with 3,110 metres of elevation gain, was achieved by Sarah Palfader of Team DA-TOR / ISB e Federico Bazzucchi, from Team Alta Valtellina Bike.

Finally, on the Short route, covering 60 kilometres with 1,950 metres of elevation gain, Milena Felici from ASD USC Team Nardecchia-Montini e Stefano Scala from ASD Swatt Club conquered the Stelvio climb.

Among the other winners, the best time for the Teglio climb was achieved by Samantha Arnaudo of team OM.CC, who tackled five kilometres of uphill cycling in 00:18:45.570, and Manuel Senni of team Crainox, with a time of 00:15:22.336, both of whom received the white Retelit jersey.

Both athletes wera also crowned champions of the Mortirolo Pass, who were awarded the red Trek jersey with a time of 00:55:58.071 for Arnaudo and 00:49:30.907 for Senni.
Finally, Sara Palfader of team DA-TOR / ISB, with a time of 01:32:35.331, and Stefano Scala od ASD Swatt Club, with a time of 01:14:10.942, came out on top on the third climb, the Stelvio.

Overall and category rankings are available on the website winningtime.it

Photo: The Granfondo Stelvio Santini is one of the hardest Gran Fondo's in the world, featuring the burtal mythical climbs of the Mortirolo and Stelvio passes