Gran Fondo Felice Gimondi
8/5/2022
|
Bergamo
|
IT
Gran Fondo
After 2 years of cancellations, I had been waiting a long time for this event. Not only because of the prestige and remembrance of the great Bergamascan champion Felice Gimondi, but the incredible course in the rolling mountains and tiny villages in the Lombardy plains behind the city of Bergamo.
It’s been over 12 years since I was last here, still living in California and enjoying the Giro. Coming back was awesome, and even the heavy rain on Saturday night couldn’t dampen the enjoyment of the wet course on Sunday. It was an early start at 7am, thank goodness for early-opening gas stations with full espresso bars along the warm-up strip!
The race was full gas from the start, breaking into groups by the time we hit the first main climb after 8km. I had my climbing legs on today, and felt comfortable even as the climbs got longer and the race further along. The descents, though wet, were totally solid and fast — it’s always fun dropping people on the way down!
Passing through the town of San Pellegrino Terme, nestled in a deep, green valley, our group was flying. Sections at 48kmh in a rotating chain gang, to keep the momentum, brought back good feelings and memories.
In the end, no result of any worth, but an amazing race course in what I would consider the most beautiful part of Italy to race. Definitely coming back for this one!
