In Rovescala, preparations are underway for a major edition of the classic reserved for Elite and Under 23 riders. The 73rd Gran Premio Colli Rovescalesi – 17th EnerTrade Trophy will take place on Sunday, August 23rd and will feature some exciting news.

The Rovescalese team, led by president Remo Torreggiani, organizational manager Stefano Saroni and especially Alberto Bernini, patron of EnerTrade, have worked intensively in recent months to secure an impressive lineup for the Oltrepò Pavese race. From a national calendar competition, the "Colli Rovescalesi" has become a Union Cycliste Internationale event, guaranteeing the participation of professional teams.

Indeed, on August 23rd, fans will be able to cheer and admire riders from the teams Polti VisitMalta, Bardiani Csf-7 Saber, Solution Tech-Nippo-Rali, Mbh Bank CSB Telecom Fort. Additionally, Ukyo will compete, the team of Alberto Volpi which, although classified as Continental, is achieving very significant results even in races where World Tour teams abound. The Ukyo team is based in Japan.

"We are extremely satisfied with the quantity and quality of participation requests for our race," exclaims Alberto Bernini, who even when busy in his EnerTrade offices in Delémont (French-speaking Switzerland) often thinks about the Rovescala competition. "The lineup is almost completely finalized – continues the EnerTrade Administrator – but I can anticipate that in addition to the 4 UCI Professional Sports Groups, we will have many UCI Continental teams, and of course also very strong club teams. The foreign teams competing will be 19 in total, with 4 continents represented."

In Rovescala, the public is always numerous. Fans, in addition to Polti, Solution Tech, Bardiani-Csf, Mbh Bank and Ukyo in the international event on August 23rd, will see athletes wearing jerseys from Aix En Provence, Beltrami-Tsa-Tre Colli, Biesse-Carrera-Premac, CLN Kosova, Factor Racing Team, General Store-Essegibi-Curia, Lokomotiv Manas, Martigues-Payden & Rygel, MG K Vis, Padovani-Polo-Cherry Bank, Baix Ebre Tortosa, Rostese, Run & Race Solarpul, Solme-Olmo, ST Kilda, Swatt Club, Hopplà, Overall-Tre Colli, Team Skyline, Tyrol-Ktm, UC Pregnana, UC Monaco, Garlaschese, Vega-Vitalcare-Dynatek, Velo Club Mendrisio, Velo Performance, Wsa Ktm Graz, Zappi Racing. There will likely be additions to the list. As usual, riders will be presented starting at approximately 11:30 in front of Rovescala's municipal building.

The other news concerns the distance, which increases compared to recent editions: riders will cover 164.4 km, with the start at 1:00 PM. A 27.4 km circuit will be repeated 6 times, including the localities of Santa Maria della Versa (elevation 327 meters, the race's highest point), Montù Beccaria, Montescano, the Montù Beccaria climb, Bosnasco, San Damiano al Colle and the challenging final climb towards Rovescala. The total elevation gain of 2,550 meters will ensure significant selection, and the passage over the hills festively decorated by vineyards will serve as a showcase for all the wines of the Oltrepò, not just the Bonarda, which is Rovescala's flagship product.

Last year, the Gran Premio Colli Rovescalesi-EnerTrade Trophy was won by Marco Palomba from Vicenza, ahead of breakaway companions Dennis Lock and George Wood. Many winners of the Pavia race have gone on to professional cycling. This year, given the new classification, it could be a rider already in the professional ranks who crosses the finish line first. Regardless of category, it will be a quality winner.