The Dolomiti Superbike 2017 goes to Juri Ragnoli and Katazina Sosna

In a field with a whole handful of current and former world champions, it was Italian champion Juri Ragnoli who was able to prevail on the 113 kilometer long route of the South Tyrol Dolomiti Superbike. After the HERO Südtirol Dolomites, it is the second marathon classic that Ragnoli has won this season: “I am enjoying this moment because I did something incredible today,” said the 29-year-old Lombard immediately after crossing the finish line. "I live my dream."

For a long time, Ragnoli shared the lead of the race with the 2016 Portuguese marathon world champion Tiago Ferreira, although the balance of power was always clear. “Tiago was stronger than me on the climbs today, he was able to gain a lead of more than half a minute a few times,” said Ragnoli. On the descents he was always able to catch up with his opponent and even lose time. “So I was able to ride my rhythm on the climbs,” said the 2017 Dolomiti Superbike winner.

Of all things, Ragnoli was able to hold Ferreira's rear wheel on the last climb to the Plätzwiese. “I tried to get away a few times, but there was a lot of traffic on the track,” said a visibly disappointed Ferreira. On the last descent he had to let go, so that he was 47 seconds behind Ragnoli at the finish.

The international podium of this year's South Tyrol Dolomiti Superbike marathon race was completed today by the Greek Periklis Ilias, 2012 world champion, in third place. He struggled with stomach problems, especially at the beginning of the race. “You get the bill presented to you after three or four hours,” says Ilias. Although he recovered in the Hohlensteintal, “today it was all in my head,” said the 31-year-old Greek, who confessed: “The Dolomiti Superbike is my favorite race, a classic.”

Premiere victory for Sosna – Tschurtschenthaler strong third Katazina Sosna, the dominator of today's women's marathon race, sees it in a similar way. “After two third places, we finally managed to win this wonderful race this year,” said the Lithuanian. “For me, this victory counts as much as a world championship title.” The 27-year-old from the Torpado-South Tyrol team had a difficult time at the beginning. “I had a slight cold, but I think the good mountain air heals everything,” laughed the 27-year-old after a lonely race. Around 20 kilometers after the start, Sosna had broken away from the rest of the field and was running the race alone from the front.

Even though Sosna was in a class of her own, second-placed Maria Cristina Nisi was overjoyed at the finish. “This second place feels like a victory, I fought and sweated for it.” For Nisi, teammate of today's short-distance winner Nina Gulino, it is the first podium finish in the South Tyrol Dolomiti Superbike. “This race,” she concluded, “is perfectly organized, all drivers are warmly welcomed here.”

The South Tyrolean flag was held high today by the former top track and field athlete Agnes Tschurtschenthaler from Sexten as a surprising third in the women's marathon distance. Her conclusion: “Perfect day, perfect race”, even if her description of the race sounds like suffering: At the beginning she had a hard time finding her rhythm, but from Innichen onwards she invested a lot. “That’s why the climb to the Plätzwiese was extremely hard,” said the 35-year-old. “On long distances,” says Tschurtschenthaler, “I still lack the experience, but I have made up for this shortcoming with the home advantage: I know this route inside and out.”

The marathon route of the South Tyrol Dolomiti Superbike led today in a clockwise direction over 113 kilometers and 3357 meters in altitude through the five Hochpuster communities of Niederdorf, Toblach, Sexten, Innichen and Braies. Despite last night's storms and several fallen trees on the route, the race started just ten minutes late at 7.40:XNUMX a.m.

Dolomiti Superbike 2017 – results classic distance (113 km)

Elite men 1. Juri Ragnoli (ITA) 4:18.15,9 hours 2. Tiago Ferreira (POR) 4:19.02,7 3. Periclis Iliad (GRE) 4:20.29,2 4. Kristian Hynek (CZE) 4:21.29,2 5. Roel Paulissen (BEL) 4:23.06,6

Elite ladies 1. Katazina Sosna (LTU) 5:25.17,9 hours 2. Maria Cristina Nisi (ITA) 5:32.13,0 3. Agnes Tschurtschenthaler (ITA) 5:37.39,1 4. Elena Gaddoni (ITA) 5:42.28,2 5. Katrin Schwing (GER) 5:48.30,6

All detailed results of the Dolomiti Superbike are here visible.

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The Dolomiti Superbike 2017 goes to Juri Ragnoli and Katazina Sosna

Juri Ragnoli from Brescia owes his victory on the marathon course of the South Tyrol Dolomiti Superbike to his skill on difficult descents. In the women's race, however, Lithuanian Katazina Sosna ran a lonely race at the top.

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