Riva del Garda (TN) – Last weekend (Friday, May 1; Saturday, May 2; and Sunday, May 3, 2026), the F.S.A. took place. – “Riva Bike Festival,” one of the most important events for lovers of two-wheeled vehicles—“fat/thin/gravel/e-bikes”—in Europe; in short, a trade show where the market’s leading players showcase their latest innovations and offer users the chance to test them out; a true “paradise” for cycling enthusiasts.
Coinciding with this major festival, one of the most important and demanding races on the international X.C.M. calendar is also held. – Marathon, the “Ronda Extrema,” whose name says it all, covering no less than 84 km with over 3,400 m of “positive” elevation gain, winding through the picturesque valleys of Trentino, featuring grueling climbs and treacherous descents.
This year (2026) as well, the riders of the KTM SPADA powered by BRENTA BRAKES team have made a strong showing, with Swiss rider Anna Weinbeer and the “SampaBros” (Lorenzo and Nicolas) leading the pack from the Abdu association.
As usual… a very early start: we begin at 7:30; 3, 2, 1, the starting gun goes off, and we’re off! The women’s race is a foregone conclusion; our Anna starts strong from the beginning and, already on the first climb, sets a pace her rivals can’t keep up with; behind the “red cross,” a trio forms, with German champion Daubermann, former Italian champion Peretti, and European champion Morath.
On the second—more technical—section, riding her “KTM – SCARP – EVO – III” (which literally floats over the rocks, which is a delight), she continues to pedal hard; at the second “refreshment station,” her lead (over her pursuers) remains unchanged, and Anna begins a strategic phase that will see her cross the finish line (victorious) with a nearly 4-minute lead over second place (Daubermann) and nearly 10 minutes over third, the Italian Peretti, setting the record on the “extreme” course (4 h 41 min 07 s).
The story of the race reserved for the “men” is a different one: at the start of the first climb, KTM SPADA powered by BRENTA BRAKES immediately takes the initiative, with Nicolás “setting the pace.” The rider from the ’92 “generation” (NICO) set a blistering pace, gradually whittling down the group; as soon as the slope changed, it was Lorenzo (his brother) who attacked; 10 riders followed him, including two-time world champion Leo Paez, national champion Andrea Siffredi, and Austrian champion Pernsteiner, to name just a few. The rider from Tirano is on a roll, and it shows; at the first aid station, he passes the lead group—led by the Italian champion (Siffredi)—with relative ease, but it is the descent that plays a nasty trick on him.
The bitter cold “freezes” the legs of many of the riders at the front, so the duo of Stefano Goria (winner) and Davide Foccoli (third in the general classification at the Riva del Garda finish) breaks away, pursued by Dutch champion Smenge, Paez, and Arias; behind them is the “Veglione del Tritello,” from which a revitalized Nicolas emerges after the hard work on the first climb. With the toughest phase behind him, strength returns to his legs, but the two minutes lost will be what prevents him from making it to the podium.
On the third climb, a group of fighters forms, including Nicolas, Dorigoni, and Lorenzo; the three former cyclocross riders push hard and steadily regain positions one by one, moving from the top 15 to just 20 seconds behind the top 5; there will be a sprint for 6th to 12th place, with Nicolas and Lorenzo—respectively—finishing ninth and tenth, proving that the physical fitness is there, even if it wasn’t fully capitalized on. There will surely be a chance to make up for it!
Also in the top 20 is Ramón Vantaggiato, who finishes with a solid 18th place; a little further back is Russian Anton Sintsov, making his return to the X.C.M. – Marathon, following a spectacular start to the season in the X.C.O. – Olympic cross-country!
