The renewed formula of the Tour of the Cyclocross Regions, born from Fausto Scotti to take over the legacy of the Giro d'Italia, he experienced his first act in Corridonia. It's not easy to think about a cyclocross race when both road and mountain bike (not to mention gravel...) are still in full swing. Yet at the first of the 6 appointments held in the Macerata area and won by Samuele Scappini Over 700 enthusiasts of all ages showed up at the start.
Scappini, cross-country skiing comes first
The greatest anticipation was to know the name of the first leader of the Open rankings. While it's a familiar name to those who have attended the women's challenge in recent years, it's still a surprise because Scappini is achieving her first win in the top category. The Umbrian rider lives up to his reputation as a cyclo-crosser even before being a road racer, breaking away from the usual patterns and on the Marche circuit he immediately showed that he was at ease on the grass.
«Thinking precisely about these appointments – says Scappini – I finished my road season, the first as U23, in advance, at the end of July. I thought I needed time and preparation to aim for what I consider my true specialty.. In fact, I showed up at the start already in great shape."
Team Cingolani, a new home
The Umbrian rider makes no secret of the fact that road racing is almost a duty, felt as such. "I've always loved cyclocross," he says. "At six years old, I was already riding a dirt bike and competing in my first races. I like the road, but cyclocross feels more mine, it's absurdly easier for me to tackleMy road season was a bit of a rollercoaster. But I want to take only the positive side, everything I learned in a tough year."
Scappini, who is looking for a team on the road after leaving the Beltrami Tsa Tre Colli, in cyclocross he found a new landing place for Cingolani Team, almost a paradise: «I get along great with the guys and the staff, they are generous with advice, they leave nothing to chance. I know they've been through a tough time, In August, two members died in a bicycle accident in Senigallia., but they wanted to respond with work, honoring them with results and commitment. I'm really happy with my choice."
Revenge in Tarvisio, everything changes...
Scappini's victory in Corridonia was never in doubt: «After the first corner I was third, then I moved forward, I felt that my legs were turning perfectly and gradually I gained more and more on my opponents until I had a lead of over a minuteIt was an ideal route for me, with many straights but also many relaunches where I could put my explosiveness to good use. On Sunday we'll be in Tarvisio for the second stage, but this one isn't exactly ideal because There is certainly no lack of climbs on the circuit, but with the condition I have I will try to have my say anyway».
The start of the challenge was beyond expectations, also thanks to the show given by the girls, with an uncertain challenge between Carlotta Borello, the daughter of art Giorgia Pellizotti and Alessia Bulleri, resolved by Borello after two laps with an attack that coincided with a chain slip for Bulleri. Thanks to the victory, Team Cingolani completes a Sunday to remember, while Pellizotti, second, takes the lead among the juniors. "This Corridonia course was one I really enjoyed," Borello said after the victory, "because There were a lot of curves, you always had to relaunch and I gave my best. I'm happy to have achieved success on my debut with my new team, now I hope to get other important satisfactions during the season."
Among the youngest, a great challenge between Filippo Grigolini and James Serangeli, names that have also made themselves noticed on the street. Grigolini, also a member of Team Cingolani, was among the most prominent students even if for him too, for now it can be said that cyclocross has the pre-eminence, so that Punctual He's been following him for some time now, while Serangeli has finally overcome all the early-season physical issues. Considering the many absences across all categories and the concurrent events, it looks like it's going to be a truly stellar season.
