The 64th edition of the Coppa Pietro Linari closed at Borgo a Buggiano the three-day junior event in Tuscany and the special Piero Pratesi Challenge for teams was won by Neri Sottoli Lucchini Energy with 68 points ahead of Team Vangi Tommasini 67 and Autozai Contri 65. The final seal on this interesting challenge was placed by Vicenza-based Andrea Marco Pierotto who outsprinted Tuscan Luciano Gaggioli from Vinci, a rider of noble descent, at the finish line on Corso Indipendenza. Third place went to the commendable Marche rider Battistoni, a recent winner in Lunigiana of the Memorial Antonio Colò, who launched a solo breakaway before the start of the final lap and was caught by Pierotto (both delivered impressive finishes) 5 km from the finish.

In the sprint there was nothing to be done for the latter against Pierotto's aggressive acceleration, securing his second victory in 2026 after the one he achieved in early July in the province of Verona. "I'm delighted with this victory in Tuscany, I feared Gaggioli but I could feel my legs were strong," he said.

Also noteworthy was the fourth place finish of Lucca's Agnini, fresh from the stage race in Hungary with the Italian National team. It was an extremely fast race with various sprints for the intermediate prizes during the 5 flat laps won by Benozzato, Colosio, Alessiani, Paris and Battistoni. When the climb began, the Italian champion Balliana (tenth at the finish) also made his move among the most anticipated riders in the race. At the first two mountain prime points, Paris from Pol. Monsummanese passed first. In the third lap, the brilliant Battistoni made his move, launching a solo breakaway on the final lap with the "wall" of Massa from the unusual side of via Vacchereccia with a 21 percent gradient section, where emotions certainly didn't run short with a thrilling and fiercely contested finale.

Among the 169 starters from 29 teams were also three foreign squads (from the Netherlands, France and England) and the Borgo a Buggiano event was included in the celebration programs in honor of the SS. Crucifix, which also remembered Oriano Orsucci, Silvano Cinelli, Moreno Luchi and Poldo Rosellini, offering sports enthusiasts a beautiful day of sport and spectacle.

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