Lessinia Legend, historic Mountain Bike event which, in May, will start from a new location: San Martino Buon Albergo. The event will be organized by XC Verona in collaboration with the Young Sport Cultura Community.
Source: press release/ SportdiPiù
In the interview released and published on SportdiPiù Magazine Veneto n.70, Davide Biondani (president of XC Verona) talked about this well-known and awaited event at national level by all bikers.
Davide, first of all tell us what the Lessinia Legend is?
“The Lessinia Legend is a Mountain Bike event born in 1999 and it is particular because it is a marathon, or rather an off-road sporting event that exceeds 60 km. It is certainly a point of reference both for the Veronese MTB and at national level given the numbers it has done in the past; it was in fact the longest race in Italy for several years. Then he had a moment of 'decline' but I am convinced that he will return to the old glories: there are very few marathons that exceed 90 kilometers in Italy. On the contrary, if you think about it, I don't think there is any except the Legend… ”.
The 2022 edition will start from San Martino Buon Albergo: why this change of location?
“The Lessinia Legend has always been a bit itinerant: it started from Verona, then for organizational reasons it moved first to Velo Veronese, where it took place for 4 years, and then to Bosco Chiesanuova. Let's say that the next edition goes back a little to its origins starting near Verona. There is no particular reason for this 'return'. San Martino offers many services and above all a logistical convenience. Let's be clear, the services were also provided in Bosco Chiesanuova, but there was no location like the sports center that San Martino can boast. Furthermore, the advantage of being close to the Verona Est motorway exit is undoubtedly a significant plus ".
Do you already have a rough estimate of the number of members who will participate in the Lessinia Legend?
“Registrations will be open until 1200 athletes are reached. We are aiming for 1000 admissions, even if due to Covid and the two-year stop of the event will not facilitate us. However, we know that this is a very popular event and we are working to enhance it both in Verona but above all outside the province and the Region ”.
Any anticipation on the routes?
“We offer two routes: the Extreme of over 90 kilometers and the Classic, a classic marathon of around 43 km. The paths have already been traced even if not yet defined, but in principle we are there. The Extreme reaches a maximum altitude of 1570 meters and touching the 3300 meters of positive difference in height. As for the difference in altitude, the Classic stops at 'only' 1300 meters ”.
What's new compared to past events?
“First of all, the route will be practically new since we will touch, perhaps, only 20% of the old routes. There is the idea of bringing some good names to run in Verona and we are moving for this, but at the moment we do not have certainties from this point of view. We are also trying, together with the Italian Cycling Federation and the Regional Committee, to bring the Italian National Team; if this operation were to go through, it would be a beautiful thing and an added value.
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