It's pointless scrolling back and forth through the Federciclismo calendar, the Astico-Brenta is not there. In fact, it would be enough to go straight to September 8th, the date chosen in Vicenza a century ago to create a cycling race dedicated to the Madonna of Monte Berico. The race that crosses the two main rivers of the province has changed its appearance often, has taken different routes, raised the finish line in various locations, but has never moved from that calendar slot. In the 2026 race program, however, the 101st 'Astico-Brenta does not appear because – the Federation announces – the organizer submitted the calendar request well past the deadline. And at the moment there is no Plan B because, according to regulations, the race title can only be assigned to others by the Federation after two consecutive years of non-execution. The organization in question is O.E.S. (Organizzazione Eventi Sportivi), chaired by Adriano Zambon. The same one that has also been responsible in recent years for the Giro del Piave and the Giro del Veneto stage race for Elite and Under 23 categories.

"From my point of view it's a regulation that needs to be reviewed, but that's how things stand – comments Davis Tosin, president of the Vicenza provincial committee of the F.C.I. -. Given the difficulties of O.E.S., a new organizer had made themselves available to take over the Astico-Brenta, but we didn't reach an agreement, so we lose an edition".

It's truly a shame, because at stake is a race of great tradition, which has its roots in popular devotion and the ancient bond between the people of Vicenza and the sport of cycling. The editions of recent years have seemed a bit underwhelming, but the length of the roll of honor is still a valuable credential.

The Astico-Brenta has been won by Tullio Campagnolo, Vito Ortelli, twice by Cleto Maule, by Dino Zandegù, Renato Tumellero, Massimo Ghirotto, Andrea Ferrigato, Marzio Bruseghin, Maxi Richeze, just to pick some fine names here and there. The race stopped only in 1944 in the face of cannon fire, then in 1973, 1987 and in 2015, due to problems with the organizing societies.

SCHIO-OSSARIO DEL PASUBIO Hard times for the Vicenza classics. The financial constraints that led to the cancellation of the Astico-Brenta are the same ones that remove from the 2026 calendar for Elite and Under 23 also the Schio-Ossario. The upper Vicenza race, born in 1932, has always been the counterpart to the Bassano-Monte Grappa among the most coveted finishes by young climbers on the verge of professionalism. O.E.S. was unable to secure the necessary resources to organize the Schio-Ossario del Pasubio, a race that last year was held on the third Sunday of July and will therefore lose an edition.

As for the Astico-Brenta, traditionally organized on September 8th in honor of the Madonna of Monte Berico, Zambon explains why he didn't put it on the calendar within the scheduled timeframe, that is August 2025: "For some years we've held it with start and finish in Rossano Veneto, where the municipal administration fell – he recounts -, consequently I didn't know whether or not I could count on the economic contribution from the municipal administration".

In reality, the Schio-Ossario in the latter part of its long history seems to be cursed. And to think that for 77 seasons it never missed a beat, with the exception of a couple of editions during the Second World War. The first winner was Rodolfo Costantini, from Alzano Scrivia. At that time the climb was called Coppa Pasubio. In addition to the inaugural 1932 edition, he won four more, an unmatched record. In 1948 Sante Carolo won, famous for having dueled with Malabrocca for the conquest of the black jersey as last in the general classification at the Giro d'Italia. Scrolling through the roll of honor you encounter Mario Beccia (1975 and 1976), Gilberto Simoni (1991, 1993), Leonardo Piepoli (1994), the late Amilcare Tronca (1995), Julio Alberto Perez Cuapio (1999). In 2010 the most troubled period in the history of this competition began: in 16 years only nine editions have been held, one of which was downgraded to a race for the Juniors category. Last year the classic for Elite and Under 23 was held regularly, with victory going to Bergamo's Luca Cretti.

While the Schio-Ossario awaits better times, reassurances come from Adriano Zambon about the other races under his management: confirmed are the Zanè-Monte Cengio on August 1st, the Giro del Veneto from September 9-12 and the Giro del Piave, moved to October 10th. But it is the swan song: the Bassano organizer doesn't hide his exhaustion and announces that at the end of 2026 he will throw in the towel. Too many difficulties in finding economic contributions, recruiting operational staff and navigating the swamps of bureaucracy.

Successor sought.

from Il Giornale di Vicenza