Tonso wins Race 2 while Gilloux gets the double at WES Bologna Montana Round

Bologna (Italy), Sunday 29 May 2022 – The Bologna Montana Round Presented by Raspini is in the books with some unpredictable results in today’s race. The event was the first-ever held in the commune of Monghidoro, in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, with the support of the regional tourism office (APT), and the technical partners BO.M.B.A (Bologna Montana Bike Area) and E-xplora, both specialists in E-MTB touring and trail design.

On Day 2’s racetrack, Men completed 5 laps, while Women were asked to complete 4, for the course conditions being tougher than yesterday, due to heavy rain, mud and fog. The lap length was 3.5 km, raced clockwise, for a total distance of 17.5 km, and a 1035 m total climb.
The morning’s Qualirace, determining Race 2 starting grid, saw German Sofia Wiedenroth (Specialized) setting the best time and getting her first Raspini Pole Position Award of the season. Reigning World Champion Jérôme Gilloux (Lapierre Overvolt) managed to be the fastest in the Men’s, despite crashing on today’s demanding and challenging track.

Justine Tonso (Lapierre Overvolt), looking for revenge from yesterday’s broken chain, was feeling comfortable on the mud, as she did at the Monaco Round. The French managed to get the Holeshot and maintained the lead ahead of Swiss Champ Nathalie Schneitter (Trek) and Wiedenroth throughout the entire race and this is what the Women’s podium looked like. Behind the top-3, Reigning World Champion Nicole Göldi (Trek) was in fourth on the first two laps, dropping one position on lap 3, when Anna Oberparleiter (Specialized) overtook her. Italian Camilla Martinet (Specialized) and Ania Bocchini (Focarini) at their debut in this round 2 of the season finished 6^th and 7^th, respectively.

Tonso takes back the overall standings lead ahead of Schneitter and Wiedenroth, the two separated by two points only.

In the Men’s field, Italian legend and E-MTB Reigning Champion Martino Fruet (Lapierre) took his first Holeshot, despite being not much confident after the Qualirace, due to the muddy conditions, although he was second on the grid. 
“The Specialist”, Monsieur Gilloux with some ribs sore took the lead on lap 1 and maintained it for the full race distance, keeping country fellow Théo Charmes (Cube) behind. The young rider promptly recovered from the injury suffered at the Monaco Round and looked more confident than yesterday, in a solid second place for the first 3 laps, with Loïc Noël (Specialized) close behind. The Swiss eventually managed to overtake Charmes on lap 4 and grab an important position for the overall standings. The three, much happy with their results completed today’s Men’s podium in this order. Behind them, convincing Spaniard Ismael Esteban (BH) finished fourth ahead of Remy Gena (Trek), both consistent on today’s track, and overtaking Fruet, who dropped two positions, finishing 6^th. Dutchman Kjell van den Boogert (American Eagle), 4^th on the grid, eventually finished 7^th. 

At the end of Round 2 in Italy, and after 4 races, Gilloux confirms his lead with full score, Noël is now second in the standings, and French Hugo Pigeon (Scott) still third.

Magneti Marelli Checkstar Power LapAward went to teammates Tonso and Gilloux, both setting the fastest time on lap 1, in 14:21.42 and 12:24.41, respectively. 

All results available HERE
Download the photo gallery HERE
Download this Press Release in PDF HERE