Bormio, August 3, 2018 - Over 2,800 athletes raced along the Valdidentro and Valdisotto over the most beautiful trails and challenging climbs that the region around Bormio has to offer during the Alta Valtellina Bike Marathon (AVBM). In addition to the 10th anniversary of the AVMB, this year's highlight was the 100km marathon course, with an elevation gain of 3,260 meters. In the women's class Nadine Rieder secured the victory after only 5 hours and 26 minutes and was with 8 minutes ahead, the clear winner on this day.
Whether you opted for the popular marathon route, the milder classic route (44km), the endurance route (76km), or the e-bike experience, all participants were scuffing their hooves and couldn't wait to compete in this event, which had been fully booked since February.
In gloriously hot, summer conditions, participants were finally able to experience the breathtaking alpine scenery, the naturally blue lakes, as well as the three most beautiful mountain passes in the region that make up the course. All those who started at the marathon route on Saturday at 07:30 in the morning were surprised by a celebrity guest: Mike "The Bike" Kluge, founder of Focus Bikes, also participated in the race and officially opened the festivities.
Among the starters was also Nadine Rieder, Bormio's official bike ambassador. By now she knows the trails and the secret corners of Bormio like the back of her hand. Even though her main discipline is cross-country, she was especially looking forward to the AVBM.
"The atmosphere and organization here is perfect. For me it feels a bit like an adventure every time to do such long races in the middle of the season. The scenery and course at this event are so beautiful, it's just mind blowing to be on my bike for so long. 5 hours and 26 minutes is a very long time, but it's totally worth it in the end."
Due to an injury, Nadine could not participate last year and therefore wanted all the more to make sure to compete at the 10th anniversary. However, a broken collarbone at the beginning of the year jeopardized the project. Nevertheless, Nadine managed to get fit again in time. There were no special expectations for the race: She had made up for her training deficit with cross-country specific units and not with long endurance units.
"I headed to the start line with plenty of food in my pockets. My goal was to achieve a constant speed, to "survive" such a long distance. After the first climb at Lake Cancano, I was already in second place and then, after the first long downhill section in Livigno, I managed to overtake the leader. I was a bit surprised about myself. It was just an incredible feeling, more than half the distance all the way up.e to ride in front. All the spectators around me cheered "Prima Donna" and that of course gave me an extra dose of motivation. The fact that I was able to decide the race in my favor is great. I'm honestly still a bit speechless..."
When the spectacle was over, Nadine was the winner in the women's category with a time of 5:26:18, followed by Maria Cristina Nici in 2nd place and Costanza Fasolis in 3rd.
In the men's race, Francesco Failli was the fastest with 4:31:08. He was closely followed by Samuele Porro in 2nd place and Cristiano Salerno in 3rd.
The long marathon course through the Stelvio National Park went past the towers of Val Fraele and the Cancano lakes, up to the Trela Pass (2,300 meters) and the Passo Alpisella (2,350m) and to Lake Livigno. Also included were the Bocchette di Trela (2,350m), the valleys of Val Vezzola, Val Viola and Val Verva. In addition, the route included Alpe Boron (2,057m) and Alpe Prei (2,210m).
The last part of the course, which was mainly downhill, offered a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding valleys, all the way down to the finishing straight in Isolaccia.
The beginning of the Alta Valtellina Bike Marathon opened the two shorter tours that took place Thursday and Friday before the race, followed by a Kids Marathon on Sunday. More than 300 volunteers helped on site to realize this event, the third largest MTB event in Italy, after Hero and the Dolomiti Superbike.
The date for next year's Alta Valtellina Bike Marathon is already set: it will take place on July 27, 2019.
For more information about the Alta Valtellina Bike Marathon 2018, please visit: https://www.altavaltellinabike.it/
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