Leonardo Paez is the hero again

Bright blue skies and picture-perfect conditions in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites: the organizers and participants of the BMW HERO South Tyrol Dolomites couldn't have had it better. And yet: this year the HERO showed its teeth again and demanded everything from the 4018 starters over 86 kilometers and 4500 meters in altitude around the Sellastock, Sassolungo and the Alpe di Siusi.

In the men's category, record winner Leonardo Paez was once again unbeatable on Saturday. After he had to admit defeat to Juri Ragnoli last year, he regained the “HERO title” in an impressive manner. The almost 36-year-old was able to break away from the top-class field together with Ragnoli on the first climb on Dantercepies, but after that a fall almost ruined his plans.

“I lost a few valuable seconds to Juri, but was able to gradually make up for them,” said the HERO record winner. Afterwards, Paez showed once again that the HERO is something like his home race: “For me, this is a very special race, even if it is tough from start to finish,” said the Colombian, for former world champion Massimo Debertolis found the right description: “Paez is otherwise incredibly strong, but at HERO he’s simply great.”

While Leonardo Paez is the top favorite on the highest podium, Martino Tronconi is a real surprise in second place. The 22-year-old from Faenza in the province of Ravenna was unable to threaten Paez, but left the rest of the field behind him for more than a minute and a half: “I was actually hoping for a top 10 result, but this is simply unbelievable,” said Tronconi after crossing the finish line in Wolkenstein. At first he stuck to the group of top riders behind Paez and Ragnoli, but then realized that he still had energy: “I thought to myself: You are 22 years old and have nothing to lose!” said Tronconi.

There was a tough battle until the last few kilometers for third place, which was ultimately secured by the Swiss Urs Huber. “A podium place was my goal today and it feels sensational that it worked,” said the 33-year-old from Mettmenstetten in the canton of Zurich. He divided up the race very well today and didn't tackle the first climbs too quickly. “That’s why I still had reserves and finally moved up from eighth place to third,” said Huber, who achieved overall victory in the toughest stage race in the world, the Cape Epic in South Africa, in 2016.

Christina Kollmann-Forstner wins women's race While for men the 86-kilometer ultimate distance is counted for the UCI Marathon World Cup, for women it is the “short” version over 60 kilometers and 3200 meters in altitude. Today, Schladminger Christina Kollmann-Forstner made the jump from second place last year to the top podium: “This victory means a lot to me, it's one that I've been missing,” said the 30-year-old reigning European champion. The HERO was a “very, very difficult race, but today everything worked great from start to finish,” said the winner. On the Sellajoch she looked around and: “There was no one to see behind me, so I could just enjoy the last few kilometers,” explained Kollmann.

Lithuanian Katazina Sosna crossed the finish line in Wolkenstein today, more than 3.16 minutes behind Kollmann: “This second place feels like a victory,” said Sosna, who not even a fall could stop her today. “The race was incredibly hard, but I stuck to it excellently and was able to keep my rhythm,” said the 28-year-old, who drives for the Torpado-Südtirol team. “This success means a lot to me, also because it is our sponsor’s home race,” said Sosna. The best Italian, Mara Fumagalli from Lecco, came third today behind Kollmann and Sosna. “It was very important to be the first Italian to cross the finish line today, also because I was able to make an impressive calling card for the World Cup,” said the 30-year-old. She had to miss a few races this season, but today she was in very good shape, “even though the HERO is always extremely difficult – not least because of the altitude,” said Fumagalli. South Tyrolean triumph on a short route An old acquaintance finally prevailed in the men's 60-kilometer route: Klaus Fontana from Olanger, who won the first HERO on the long route in 2010 and had already won the 60 last year. “The HERO is the most important race of the year for me,” said Fontana, “and a victory here is the best thing ever.”

OC boss Gerhard Vanzi, who was once again able to experience a HERO in a class of its own, can certainly share this assessment: “A race in this weather and these conditions is a dream,” said Vanzi: “For the drivers, the organizers and for the entire Dolomite region , which was able to show off its most beautiful side.” Today Vanzi also recalled the rapid development of the HERO since its first edition in 2010, the annual innovations and the international network that has been set up around the race. “Year after year, all of this creates the emotions with which we can keep interest in the HERO high,” said the OC boss. And even though HERO 2018 has just ended, Vanzi is already looking ahead to 2019. “Next year we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary and we already have a lot in store for this anniversary,” said the OC boss , who also thanked the hundreds of volunteers today. “It cannot be emphasized often enough,” says Vanzi, “without the hard work, commitment and competence of our volunteers, such an event would never, ever be possible.”

Ranking HERO South Tyrol Dolomites Men (86 kilometers) Hector Leonardo Paez Leon (COL) 4:28.45,1 Martino Tronconi (ITA) 4:34.33,2 Urs Huber (SUI) 4:36.05,6 Samuele Porro (ITA) 4:36.38,1 Alban Lakata (AUT) 4:37.31,2 Diego Alfonso Arias Cuervo (COL) 4:38.41,0 Roel Tony Paulissen (BEL) 4:42.07,4 Periklis Iliad (GRE) 4:43.38,8 Riccardo Chiarini (ITA) 4:43.39,7 Juri Ragnoli (ITA) 4:44.45,0

Ranking BMW HERO South Tyrol Dolomites Women (60 kilometers) Christina Kollmann-Forstner (AUT) 3:50.01,4 Katazina Sosna (LTU) 3:53.17,8 Mara Fumagalli (ITA) 3:54.49,9 Blaza Pintaric (SLO) 3:58.02,7 Elena Gaddoni (ITA) 3:58.48,4 Angela Carolina Parra Sierra (COL) 4:01. 56,0 Sally Bigham (GBR) 4:05.19,4 Jessica Pellizzaro (ITA) 4:05.23,9 Gaia Ravaioli (ITA) 4:05.45,2 Costanza Fasolis (ITA) 4:06.43,0

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Leonardo Paez is the hero again

The Colombian Leonardo Paez won the HERO Dolomites for the 5th time on Saturday. Over the short distance, victory went to Klaus Fontana from Olanger.

Suggestions

Comments (0)