The spotlights on the toughest mountain bike marathon in the world went out a few hours ago and the Colombian Leon Paez climbed the top step of the men's podium for the eighth time, preceding Samuele Porro and his compatriot Diego Arias Cuervo. Among women triumph for the second year of the German Adelheid Morath in front of Katazina Sosna and the South Tyrolean Sandra Mairhofer.
Among the members also the "Shark" Vincenzo Nibali who closed his first HERO tired but smiling, and above all satisfied.
COMPLETE REPORT SELLARONDA HERO
Also present at this exciting edition of HERO was Vincenzo Nibali who, having finished his incredible career as a professional on the road, took up the HERO challenge to test himself on the climbs he used to ride on asphalt until last year. With a time of 5h22'32 ”, signed on the 86km course, he was greeted with an ovation as he crossed the finish line:
«It was a really tough test, but I'm satisfied that I took part in it. I took my own pace, but also enjoyed the wonderful panorama of the Dolomites» commented the Shark of Messina live on television and streaming in 85 countries on five continents. The classification places him in 48th position, a positive result in light of the numerous commitments of recent months that have kept him away from specific preparation for a marathon like the HERO.
The London 2012 Olympic medalist Marco Aurelio Fontana also pedaled alongside Nibali, who defended himself well on a track that he himself described on the eve of the race as "crazy": the biker from Castel Arquato finished in 126rd place, above all winning the challenge of completing a test as tough as the HERO.
HERO Südtirol Dolomites 2023 RANKING
| 1. | Paez Leon Hector Leonardo | 4:29.05 |
| 2. | Leek Samuel | 4:36.29 |
| 3. | Arias Cuervo Diego Alfonso | 4:36.39 |
| 4. | Geismayr Daniel | 4:37.30 |
| 5. | Stosek Martin | 4:38.36 |
| 6. | Rabensteiner Fabian | 4:40.01 |
| 7. | South Casey | 4:40.39 |
| 8. | Samparisi Lorenzo | 4:41.17 |
| 9. | Ragnoli Juri | 4:43.47 |
| 10. | Beeli Andrin | 4:46.27 |
| 11. | Rose Maximus | 4:47.30 |
| 12. | You are looking for Dario | 4:48.00 |
| 13. | Hem Ole | 4:50.24 |
| 14. | Riccardo Chiarini | 4:51.47 |
| 15. | Medvedev Alexei | 4:52.52 |
| 16. | Huber Urs | 4:53.31 |
| 17. | Taffarel Nicholas | 4:54.52 |
| 18. | Fernandez Great Victor Manuel | 4:55.35 |
| 19. | Handl Philip | 4:56.29 |
| 20. | Dalvay Armin | 5:02.00 |
| ... | ||
| 48. | Vincenzo Nibali | 5:22.32 |
