By Ian Parr

Four hundred Cycling Weekly riders took part in what was a true celebration of Italy’s most oversubscribed gran fondo, the Maratona dles Dolomites on July 3.

The Giro d’Italia paid homage to the event just over a month ago by riding the full course on stage 14, with Esteban Chaves taking the victory.

Miguel Indurain, Davide Cassani and Fausto Pinarello led us all on our away at 6.30am. There had been torrential rain the night before and more was forecast, but as it turned out we were blessed with a dry day and perfect riding temperatures – the only problem being damp surfaces on the first couple of descents.

The Maratona never fails to live up to expectation and the 30th anniversary edition was certainly no exception.

A truly wonderful day saw Martin Shaw from Basingstoke as the fastest rider from Britain and Ireland with a brilliant 5h 18m and Barney Purbrook from London taking first place among the CW riders just five minutes behind. To keep it in the family, Ruth Purbrook was our fastest woman on the day.

For more information on joining the Cycling Weekly team at Maratona email wdcyclesport@gmail.com.

Thanks to all of the Cycling Weekly riders for helping to make it a memorable occasion.

Riders from the Cycling Weekly group at the 2016 Maratona dles Dolomites. Click on the image to enlarge to full size. Photo by Pat O’Hare

Nearly at the top of the final pass – Valparola

We’ve just been down there.

Ruth and Barney

Cat’s Wall