Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Cycling Pro: Longo shines heading to World Cup debut

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Parent Category: Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Category: News Cycling Pro Road & Mtb 2011

Published on Sunday, 17 April 2011 21:56

Written by Luca Salvatelli

The season is coming to a key point for TX Active – Bianchi elite team, flying to Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) on Tuesday April 19th, in order to take part to the first stage of the XCO World Cup next weekend. In the meantime, on Sunday 17th, Elite Tony Longo and Cristian Cominelli raced in Garda (Veneto – Italy) at the Gran Fondo Paola Pezzo, while Portoguese Under 23 Ricardo Marinheiro was in Vila do Conde for the third race of the Portugal Cup.

In Garda, Tony Longo reached second place, 1’32” behind winner Alexey Medvedev and ahead of Marzio Deho, after a 38,5 km, 1.200 mt. ascent race. TX Active – Bianchi’s Italian worked his way with the Russian until 20 km to go, when Medvedev made the decisive break. Longo kept on his pace, reaching the second place despite a late puncture. Cristian Cominelli, 31st, is heading back to form after a 6-week stop. “The Granfondo was a nice test before the start of the World Cup”, said Team Manager Massimo Ghirotto, who will leave from Milan to South Africa with Tempier, Longo and Kershbaumer on Tuesday night.

Under 23 Ricardo Marinheiro will be on the flight to South Africa as well, after a convincing 2nd place in the Under 23 race (4th overall) in Vila Do Conde, at the 3rd stage of the Portugal Cup. TX Active – Bianchi’s Portuguese performed a very solid race, showing up a good shape.

TX Active-Bianchi Junior Team kept on their excellent momentum in Cameri (Piedmont – Italy) at the Ticino Cup: Giorgio Rossi clinched his 5th win in the rookies series, beating Italian champion Marco Liporace on a charming – but still technical – course, while team mate Oscar Vairetti finished up in third place. That’s a double for TX Active – Bianchi in the cadet series, with Federico Barri edging team mate Cristian Boffelli, taking his second success in 2011. In the female cadet series, Chiara Teocchi proved unstoppable once again, making it a four-win season.