A quarter of a century of Italian Downhill World events celebrated in Val di Sole, on Saturday 10 September, thanks to the endless creativity of Pier Paolo “Pippo” Marani who decided to gather in Daolasa- Commezzadura the protagonists of the 25 years of the memorable World Championships that started in 1991 at Il Ciocco in Tuscany.
The rich programme of the forthcoming UCI MTB World Championships to be held from 29 August to 11 September in Val di Sole, includes also the Legend DH featuring many Italian athletes who have written the history of national and international mountain biking, among which some that took part in the World Champs in 1991. Athletes such as Corrado Hérin and Giovanna Bonazzi, perhaps the most successful Italian riders: Corrado won the DHI World Cup in 1997 and clinched a bronze medal in the World Champs in Vail (1994) while Giovanna conquered two world titles (1991 at Il Ciocco and 1993 in Métabief, Francia) and two bronze medals (Vail in 1994 and Kirchzarten in 1995).
In the list of athletes invited, there is also legendary Paolo Caramellino, who raced on bikes and motorbikes, Olympic athlete Paola Pezzo (gold in Cross Country 1996 and 2000 Olympics) and Paolo Rosola (Tv commentator today).
Bruno Zanchi, who won in the Juniors in 1991, won’t be racing due to some physical problems. But Br1 will be there to meet all fans at the gazebo set up for the occasion.
This Legends’ Downhill will feature also other important names present in Val di Sole for various reasons, all linked to the great event: Red Bull commentator Rob Warner (former world class rider and the first UK athlete to win a World Cup round in ’96) and his adventure mate Claudio Caluori (author of the much appreciated video preview of DHI World Cup tracks), UCI delegate David Vasquez Lopez and his majesty Steve “Peaty” Peat, in his last racing season.
The great UK champion – second in 2008 World Champs, held on the famous Black Snake in Val di Sole – will be the protagonist of a special event: since he has not been called to join the national team, he decided to stop racing after 20 intense years of competitions in which he won a World Championship in Canberra in 2009, six silver medals (Château-d'Oex 1997, Sierra Nevada 2000, Vail 2001, Kaprun 2002, Val di Sole 2008, Mont-Sainte Anne 2010) and 17 World Cup rounds (52 podiums, 3 Cups overall).
The Legends' Downhill will be held on Saturday night at 17:30 on the famous Black Snake, the track that “designer” Pippo Marani considers not the most beautiful among the world class courses but surely the toughest. It has been redesigned in view of the world races, but always following the “old school” style, completely hand made and located inside a natural Alpine woodland. This year the course is a blend of the best sections of the races of World Cup and Championships done until now. The course has been designed to provide a better balance between technical and fast-flow stretches. However, its basic feature will not change i.e. its average steep drop, which makes it one of the most adrenaline-packed trails in the world, as well as the most beloved.
This exciting fringe event, filled with nostalgia, makes the thick UCI MTB World Champs programme even more appealing, a fixture you cannot miss!
Alberto Penasa - Azienda Turismo Val di Sole
Viale Marconi, 7 - 3827 - Malè - (TN)
Tel. +39.0463.900863 - Fax +39.0463.901563
www.valdisole.net - penasa.a@valdisole.net
