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2nd annual Granfondo San Marino Marco PantaniJune 1, 2008
The appointment for the second edition of the Granfondo San Marino Marco Pantani is set for June 1, 2008.
The event is organized by the Marco Pantani Foundation (ONLUS) and the San Marino Cycling Federation under the Patronage of the San Marino Secretariat for Sport and Tourism. The route, designed by legendary sportsman Pino Roncucci and Paolo Pantani (Marco’s father), follows the streets where Marco grew up, where the “pirate” trained and prepared for his extraordinary victories. Participants will be able to chose from two different routes, 110 and 80kms respectively. The finish line will be at 1004 meters on Carpegna mountain, on the same hills where Belgian rider Eddie Merck and Spain’s Josè Manuel Fuente competed in the Giro d’Italia in the ‘70s. Cycling enthusiasts will be able to climb the very same hills once ridden by the Italian legend, comparing their times and results on the steep climbs.Each participant to the Granfondo will be times on the toughest part of the race, a 6km hill with an average of 13% incline (up to 18%) leading up 270 meters. The road is inside a natural reserve and is usually closed to traffic but has been made available exclusively for this event. The best times and riders will be announced and a prize given at the end of the race. “The Carpegna is enough”, exclaimed Pantani during a magazine interview, speaking of the hills near his hometown and of the “Cippo” (included in the race) in particular. He continued, “I use the 39×19/21. From San Marino on, the going is great: clear streets, varied terrain, up and downhill, and a few steep climbs”. The same hills and valleys chosen for the Granfondo San Marino Marco Pantani have also been chosen to be part of the “Giro d’Italia”, during the 11th leg of the race 2008. For all the cycling enthusiasts participating, the Granfondo will provide not only a chance to remember a great Champion and local hero, but also to try out the route that will be ridden by Champions in the months to come. On race day there will be no winners and no losers, only participants gathering together in solidarity for the “IO PEDALO” campaign against doping. The spirit will not be one of competition, but of personal challenges in memory of “the pirate”. The race, will hower, have all the amenities expected from top level competitions: catering, accompanying vehicles, tech support, medical assistance, radio commentary and a rider packs including PIRATE’s Gadgets and lots of goodies.
