The countdown to the 2026 edition of La Dario Acquaroli has begun. The international mountain bike event will take place in Iseo (Brescia) on Sunday, September 27. In addition to hundreds of amateur participants, there will also be over one hundred thirty elite competitors and several champions who will compete on the beautiful trails designed among the wonders of Franciacorta.

At the start of the event will be some of the most important names in the Italian and international off-road scene: first and foremost, Davide Foccoli (Gs Scott Racing Team) will make his return to Iseo, where he will try to confirm himself on the top step of the podium as he did a year ago. The Brescia native will have to contend especially with Stefano Goria (Scott Racing Team), third in 2025, Jacopo Billi (Gs Cicli Olympia), already three times on the Iseo podium, the KTM – Protek – Elettrosystem duo with young Emanuele Bocchio Vega and former Italian champion Matteo Siffredi, as well as the evergreen Juri Ragnoli (El Camos Racing Team) and Mirko Tabacchi (Gs Cicli Olympia).

Among the Elite Women, after 3 podiums in the last four years, Claudia Peretti (Gs Cicli Olympia) returns in search of her first victory in Iseo, and she returns as the current Italian champion and vice world champion in Marathon. Also at the start will be Martina Guerrera from MTB Increa Brugherio. The spotlight is also on the Under 23 and daughter of a cycling legend Marika Celestino, who was already third overall among women a year ago.

In the Under 23 category, the Italian champion jersey will shine on Fabio Bassignana (KTM – Protek – Elettrosystem). His main rivals will be Martino Zavan (VPT Why Sport), Elia Rial (Beltrami TSA), Alberto Cavalieri (Lugagnano Off Road), Filippo Cavezzan and Marco Betteo from Team Sogno Veneto.

In the men's Juniors category, the most prominent names are those of Italian vice-champion Jacopo Putaggio (Liguria Project), Marco Soprani (Gagabike Team), Morgan Gilardoni (KTM Academy – Le Marmotte) and Roberto Pinna (Beltrami TSA).

At the start among the Junior Women will be the current Italian champion Angelica Gatto (Beltrami TSA), who will have to face fierce competition led by Vittoria Girardi (KTM Academy – Le Marmotte), Mariachiara Signorelli (Speed Bike Rocks) and Emma Sara Riccardi (Lugagnano Off Road), all in the top 10 of the national ranking.

As for the event route, it will measure 42.7 km with just over one thousand meters of elevation gain. After the start, opening the race as tradition dictates, will be the climb towards Polaveno (Marus) and then the thrilling descent towards the Sergnana locality. At that point the race will move towards Passirano Castle to then reach Bornato castle, then Calino and the scenic passages through the lush Franciacorta vineyards and good dirt roads leading to the Boschi Alti locality in Calino, towards Borgonato, passage through the localities of Bettolino Monterotondo and Dossello, then the classic finale with the Madonna del Corno time trial climb (1.320 km maximum gradient 23% and average 13.6%), in its traditional time trial format, and the final descent towards the finish line in the center of Iseo.

Everything is confirmed regarding the start and finish, with Viale Repubblica and the heart of Iseo center as the nerve center of the event. The start of the first grid is set for 10:00 AM. Around 11:35 AM the first arrivals are expected and then all the awards ceremonies to follow.

DOWNLOAD THE ROUTE GPX TRACK: https://connect.garmin.com/app/activity/20525487795

Already on Saturday, September 26, on the eve of the event, in Iseo, in addition to the usual race pack distribution and the opening in Viale Europa of the ExpoVillage starting at 10:30 AM, there will also be in the afternoon, starting at 2:30 PM the "High Five" (Batti un Cinque), a promotional event FISDIR/FCI for bikers with intellectual and relational disabilities, and following the great return of the Youngsters, with races reserved for young bikers aged between 7 and 12 years "High Five mini" (Batti un Cinque mini).

The latest news, compared to what was communicated in recent days, is that the last of the missing "Faithful Ones" (Enzo Gnani) has also registered, so on Sunday all ten "Faithful Ones" of the event will be on the starting line, those who for 25 years have not missed a single edition.

Registrations remain open until race packs are exhausted both on the event website www.laacquaroli.it, where you can find all the information and procedures, just fill out the appropriate online form, and at the GimaSport organizational offices in Via G. Da Campione, 24/c – 24124 Bergamo (tel. +39 035.211721).

On the official website www.laacquaroli.it all the information.