GIRO REGIONI CYCLOCROSS, FINAL CHALLENGE IN GALLIPOLI

CYCLOCROSS | 20/12/2024 | 07:55
The sprint is launched. And there will be plenty of racing, especially on the sand, because the challenging Gallipoli track, the "Italian Koksjde", will be demanding on all the profiles that make a complete cyclocross rider, from running to full-power straights to guided sections and relaunches. With the additional difficulty of keeping opponents at bay, since the points to be conquered on the Salento field are truly precious, indeed, double. And after the checkered flag, each podium will be the definitive one, consecrating the winners and winners of the 2024 edition of the Giro Regioni Cyclocross. A special opportunity, to which everyone will arrive at the peak of their form and will have a double chance to conquer precious points: for the first time, in fact, ASD Romano Scotti has arranged the doubling of stage points. On the condition, however, of being present, since the jersey will only be awarded to those who take part in the final stage. No delegations will be admitted and in case of absolute tie, the Gallipoli stage placement will prevail.

"We have been serving tourism in Salento for over fifty years. What we are experiencing and of which you are the protagonists is an important challenge, which we are carrying forward with the combination of territory promotion and sport" – greets Attilio Caroli Caputo (CEO Caroli Hotels) – "With the Giro delle Regioni Cyclocross, Fausto Scotti and his ASD Romano Scotti family return to be protagonists, but nothing happens by chance, because there is so much professionalism, commitment, dedication, incessant activity from the dawn of one day to the next. Here we are inside the Sant'Andrea Lido Park area of Punta Pizzo Coastline, it is difficult to combine sport and environmental protection, but here there is a beautiful, complete path of unique value. It is a rare, if not unique, opportunity to offer cyclocross and sport a high-level scenario for an event that is part of a de-seasonalization program that we have been carrying forward for over 20 years. We, for our part, aim to continuously improve, in order to have completeness in every sector. And the data is on our side: for years, for example, we have organized youth soccer tournaments, previously played on clay, now on professional grass fields. And so with cyclocross, we started with a stage of the GRC and we have also had the honor of hosting the Italian national team in blue jersey. These are challenges that have been initiated, many won, others we hope will bear fruit over time".

THE GREETING OF FCI LECCE - "Dearest athletes, It is with great emotion that I welcome you to Salento, land of sun, sea and wind, on the occasion of the final stage of cyclocross that will be held on Sunday, December 22nd at the enchanting Caroli Hotel Ecoresort Le Sirenè in Gallipoli" – greets the Provincial President of FCI Lecce Sergio Quarta – "This competition represents much more than a simple race: it is a story of passion, challenge and extraordinary landscape beauty. Among the dunes of the Regional Park of Torre di Sant'Andrea, the Lido Punta Pizzo and the crystalline Ionian Sea, athletes will find themselves immersed in a unique scenario that combines sport and nature.
A special thanks goes to the ASD Romano Scotti family, who with tenacity and dedication have made this race a classic appointment in the cyclocross panorama. A heartfelt thanks also to Dr. Attilio Caputo and Caroli Hotel, who with their extraordinary availability and sensitivity towards sport, and cycling in particular, make this event possible.
This year, with an innovative double scoring system, the competition promises to be even more exciting. A wish to all athletes: may you live this day with the spirit of Salento - passion, energy and genuineness. Good cyclocross to everyone!".

CHALLENGES ON THE WIRE
Antonio Folcarelli (Race Mountain Folcarelli) has the great opportunity to sign this edition of the Giro Regioni Cyclocross, leading the open classification with 13 points ahead of the white jersey Samuele Scappini (Cingolani), a gap that with classic scores almost means securing the title, with doubled scores it is less than the margin between first and third (16 points). The challenge, then, is truly on a razor's edge, as the Salento band Negroamaro sings. In the women's field, instead, Carlotta Borello (Cingolani) has already closed the accounts in Piedmont, just as the young Giorgia Pellizotti (Sanfiorese) can claim the white jersey for best young rider: the constraint for both is only presence! For the last of the three international categories, that of junior men, 11 lengths separate the leader Filippo Grigolini (Cingolani) and Giacomo Serangeli (DP 66), with substantially identical open scenario prospects.

In the youth categories, the battle continues between Alessio Borile (First-year Juniors, DP 66) and his teammate Simone Gregori, divided by 18 lengths, while only a missed participation could deprive Tommaso Cingolani of an (almost) certain success among the Second-year Juniors. Rachele Cafueri (DP 66) leads the Junior Women classification, pursued 29 lengths behind by Matilde Carretta (GS Mosole), who is also the symbolic white jersey. Marta Grassi (GS Mosole) almost has the title of Beginner Women in her pocket, while we are sure that Pietro Foffano (GS Mosole) and Oscar Carrer (Fusion Bike) will give it their all, with the Apulian pursuer galvanized by home support and furious about the advantage crumbled at Cantoira after a disappointing performance: 15 points separate the two, the last word for the second-year beginners has not yet been spoken.

The best team is currently Cingolani, which with 1091 total points leads the classification ahead of DP 66 (772) and Race Mountain Folcarelli (634). Just off the podium are GS Mosole with 536 lengths and B Team Cyclocross Project with 509. As many as 209 societies have conquered at least one point, 243 have disputed at least one race with at least one athlete.

MASTER - CHALLENGE TO THE LAST POINT - The master women see Stefania Leschiutta (B Team Cyclocross Project) in command, who will only need to stamp her card on the Li Foggi beach to get the better of Mery Guerrini (Hair Gallery), almost at a safe distance. Among the Elite Master Sport, only 4 points separate Marco Gazzola (Bibione Cycling Team) and Lorenzo Micca (MTB Academy Giaveno): it is precisely the case to say that whoever puts their wheels forward at the Caroli Hotel finish line will make the jersey their own. If the matter between the M1 (leader Antonio Macculi, team Cingolani and already absolute leader of Group 1) and M2 (at the top Nicola Bettin from X Project) is substantially closed, provided the two leaders show up at the start, among the M3 the match is wide open, with Claudio Moronci (Team Cingolani) and Alessio Fattori (X Project) divided by just 10 points and the need, for the pursuer, to place at least another athlete between him and Moronci at the Gallipoli finish line. For the two, the challenge is identical for the primacy in Group 2. The M4 see Giuliano Rizzi from Pedale Gemonese at the top, but closely followed (-7) by Americo Mazzeo from Race Mountain Folcarelli. The trend is on Mazzeo's side, will he manage to put his wheels forward again and snatch the jersey?

In the M5, Massimo Folcarelli has already lowered the curtain since the Alps, bringing Group 3 to Anzio, while the M6 challenge sees Sandro Gentili (Race Mountain Folcarelli) and Marco Ponte (Team Cingolani) enclosed in a mere 8 points: the pursuer will have to win at all costs, if the current classification leader even comes second, he would lose the jersey, because at equal points the last stage has more weight. Among the M7, Corrado Cottin has already closed every match (same for Group 4), while among the M8 the challenge is between three: Marco Valentini (Avis Amelia), Mauro Braidot (Caprivesi) and Giovanni Parro (Zero 5 Bike Team).