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With the season now almost coming to an end, the only event left on my calendar was the Jeroboam Gravel Franciacorta. It was an appointment I valued, and I didn't want to miss it, primarily for the fascinating landscapes of Franciacorta. Additionally, the trail was designed by Nicolò, a friend with very similar "path choices" to mine, and because I would finally see many cyclist friends with whom I had shared various adventures in the past.
The event was quite "fast" for me: 300km, about 7000m elevation gain, distributed in a loop from the heart of Franciacorta to Lake Garda and back. In other words, something quite challenging for my tired legs, not quite adapted to short and intense events like this one.
PREPARATIONS
Everyone is free to interpret their breaks as they wish—some stop to sleep, while others compete to finish as quickly as possible. Until the morning itself, I am still not entirely sure about the approach I want to take. The night before, I worked overnight, and some aches make me think I might not be healthy enough to push myself.
On Friday night, I am a guest in Bergamo at Matteo's, one of my dearest adventure companions. For dinner, we have a fantastic baked pasta dish, and shortly after, we are both under the covers.
The bike is ready; I haven't packed anything to stop for sleep yet, but I keep everything in the car, just in case. I have enough bars and sandwiches for 15 hours; I think if it lasts longer, I can always improvise; there's always a bar on the road.
I find myself about half an hour's drive from the starting point, fortunately. Fortunately because on Saturday morning, I wake up with a severe stomachache, but I can't go to the bathroom in any way. Only the car ride and a coffee solve my problems.
In the end, I choose not to bring a sleeping bag; I just think about pedaling.
THE RACE BEGINS
The fun begins at 7:30 in the morning, the first kilometers escorted by Nicolò, and then off!
I start at the back, enjoying exchanging a few words with Matteo, Stefano, Cristiana, and riding a few kilometers in their company.
However, this pleasant moment is interrupted by Samuele's orange helmet, whom I see already quite far from me after just 20 minutes. It makes me realize that if I want to achieve something, I better increase the pace immediately.
After a while, I manage to catch up, but I still pedal alone, going at my own pace, hoping that the energy I seek will come sooner or later.
The first hours pass like minutes. Everything is quite hectic, and I struggle even to find a moment to eat something.
At the top of the 7 crosses (wow!), that feeling of strength I've been seeking since the morning finally arrives. I enjoy the descent, find Samuele again, and we arrive together at CP1, kilometer 107.
They tell us that the first person to pass had already left us half an hour behind, while two other guys were just ahead. I fill my cheeks with what I find on the table and the water bottles. We leave together for the first kilometer, when luck plays a bit in my favor: Sam forgot to recharge the water and chooses to go back. On the one hand, I'm sorry because I appreciate his company a lot; he's a strong and friendly friend. On the other hand, however, I start thinking about my position in the ranking, and I wouldn't have felt safe "contending" it with him.
THE RHYTHM GOES UP
Anyway, from this moment, the pace increases again. At kilometer 140, after 10 hours of activity and almost 6000m of elevation gain, the Garmin has only stopped for 9 minutes. Fortunately, a few kilometers ahead is CP2, in a mountain hut. However, this stop will also be very short: as soon as I arrive, I find one of the two guys stopped, and I take advantage to gain something. Sandwich and off again.
I manage to save some time even on the descents. There are many technical ones, and fortunately, I chose to use rather large tires. Unlike the classic choice of 700x40 or 700x45, I have 700x50, which measure 55mm on my rims.
The descent to Lake Garda is spectacular, especially facing it at sunset. A nice energy recharge.
FINAL DECISION
From here on, the trail becomes much smoother, and with the darkness that has now fallen on the lake, I start thinking that catching the other two ahead of me will not be easy at all. The evening passes quickly, and all my attempts will be in vain. At midnight, I am 10km from the finish, and I decide to let go. I finish third, despite surpassing the current record on the course by an hour. At the finish line, there is a beautiful village set up by the organization, with a fire, tents, a bar, and quite a few people waiting for us. Exactly everything you hope to find at the end of an ultra.
The day will end almost at 4 in the morning because shortly after me, Samuele also arrived, and there is really nothing better than sharing these moments with good company.
A beautiful event that made me have fun and want to come back next year!
