Over 350 riders have signed up for the 6th Città di Sestri Levante trophy, now a “classic” in the national Enduro panorama, which will also be valid as the first of the five races scheduled for the new circuit organized directly by the Italian Cycling Federation.

All the main teams and the strongest bikers at national level will therefore be at the start on Saturday at 13 o'clock to compete in the first of the 6 Special Stages scheduled in Sestri Levante. From abroad, among others, the Frenchmen Cecile and Cédric Ravanel as well as Julien Camellini also arrive, while Karim Amour will not be there because he was injured in Sestri while trying the route.

The race, organized by the Genoa Fire Brigade Polisportiva under the patronage of the Municipality of Sestri Levante, takes place on the hills overlooking the sea that surround the suggestive “City of the two Seas”.

On Saturday the competition is all concentrated in the east part, on the paths that furrow the promontory of Punta Baffe, with an incomparable view of the seaside village of Riva Trigoso and the Gulf of Tigullio up to Portofino, while on Sunday it moves to the west area, that of Sant'Anna overlooking Sestri Levante. It runs over two days and for this reason, obviously, the race is considered quite demanding.

Three Special Stages are scheduled for Saturday 18 April, including the town one with a final passage on the beach of the Baia Del Silenzio, and a total mileage of 25 km with 680 meters of elevation gain. The novelty begins immediately with the “Manierta”, an unpublished Special 1 that starts from Colle del Lago and “dives” directly from the promontory of Puna Baffe towards Riva Trigoso. Equally beautiful is the scenery of the second Special Stage which starts from the same place but which also allows you to admire glimpses towards the East coast, even up to Punta Mesco. What is certain is that the Ps 2, called "U Turiun", in addition to being very scenic, is also decidedly challenging, albeit beautiful. A real “Bike Park” with a sea view where, however, it will be impossible for riders to take their eyes off the path to enjoy the view.

The last Ps of the day is the "Peninsula", the city test that takes place on the renowned "Island" of Sestri Levante, on the cobblestones that from the "top" of the village leads to the center in Piazzetta Matteotti, not before the suggestive passage on the beach of Portobello Bay.

Sunday 19th April the day is even more demanding, because there are always three Special Stages but with a total distance that reaches 39 Km with a height difference of 1.280 meters. From the locality of Selva, after a transfer of 9km, “Ca Gianca” begins. Of all the 6 special stages it is the only one that runs almost completely in the undergrowth, which can become slippery when wet.

The Ps five and six, on the other hand, are characterized by the usual rocky and somewhat sandy bottom that characterizes the technical but fast trails in the area.

The legendary “MIMOSA” is a classic, beautiful to drive but definitely demanding for the body, even if incredibly panoramic, because it beats vertically on the coast and on Sestri Levante. Sant'Anna, the last PS scheduled after the time control in the center of the town, on the other hand for many it is one of the most beautiful ever for this specialty: in some points fast, in others more guided, it has a final part on hard ground but at times excavated and at times with rock crags. A Special Stage therefore technical but also very physical.

The organizers have designed two variants in the finale to make it slightly easier and safer without distorting its technical content and beauty.

In addition to all the categories provided by the Federation, in Sestri Levante will also participate the very young of the Beginners and Students categories who will only do the Special Stages n ° 4 and n ° 5, and the subsequent arrival in Sestri Levante.

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