Riders Place Top 20 in Italy
Anexo Group Race Team riders headed to Italy to compete in one of Europe’s most renowned youth cycling events, the Coppa d’Oro.
It was a fantastic result for our riders who all placed in the top 20 out of 420 competitors, with a podium finish for Patrick who secured second place.
Patrick Casey said:
“It’s amazing to have races abroad – I really enjoyed the whole experience. Delighted to have got onto the podium in second place and I’m looking forward to the future.”
About the Coppa d’Oro
The race starts in Borgo Valsugana, crossing the villages of Roncegno Terme, Novaledo and Levico Terme. After that, it climbs the hill of Tenna, begore going down to Pergine Valsugana and back to Borgo Valsugana. At the end of the race, the riders make their way uphill from Scurelle to Telve twice, to arrive in the centre of Borgo Valsugana after 81.2km.
Past Winners – Sonny Cobrelli, Alberto Bettiol, Diego Ulissi, Ivan Basso, Gianni Bugno and Giuseppe Saronni
Taking on the Coppa d’Oro
“El Borgo”, as the locals call it, is situated in the North of Italy in the Trentino region and lies in the shadow of the Dolomites. As you can imagine, it’s not lacking in hilly cycling terrain or spectacular scenery.
Due to Covid, the race had not taken place since 2019 so it was a great honour and privilege for the team to be invited. This is the longest race that the riders have taken part in to date and so they did their research – watching past races, studying the profile of the course and the competition.
This race is the highlight of the town’s cycling calendar, with hundreds of riders and supporters heading from all over Europe to take part. The night before the race, organisers invite the teams to a pasta party with live music in the town square, culminating in a spectacular firework display.
Race day came; bikes and gears were checked, tyres pumped, numbers were pinned on, water bottles filled, stem notes taped on, and last-minute tactics were discussed.
The team were called up to the stage for the presentation, “Team Inglese, Anexo Group Race Team”. After all the hard work and organisation that had gone into getting here, it was great to see the riders in their kit, with Elliot Rowe in the National Bands. With Elliot being National Champion, the team were gridded at the front alongside the current Italian National Champion and his team.
Alongside Italian representation, there were teams from France, Croatia, Germany and Slovenia, with over 420 riders on the start line.
All riders placed in the top 20, with Patrick Casey coming 2nd.
Riders thoughts:
Elliot Rowe said:
“It was a brilliant experience being able to race in Italy with the team. It was very difficult compared to what we are used to in the UK, but we all adapted and rode well together with all of us finishing inside the top 20. Making a good weekend even better, Paddy secured a podium position. I am really looking forward to gaining more experience racing abroad with the team next year.”
Joe Cosgrove said:
“It was an incredible experience racing at Coppa d’Oro – the racing and the course was a lot different to what I’m used to at the moment. I can’t wait to race in Italy and the rest of Europe in the future with Anexo Group Race Team.”
Bryn Lawrence said:
“I’d done a lot of preparation for the race, so it was great to get out to Italy and see what Coppa d’Oro was all about. It’s the best race I’ve done this year and I’m looking forward to racing in Italy again as a Junior. Thanks to Anexo group Race Team for the opportunity.”