At half-way and in the final stretch, Vender and Gaggi go again: the U.S. Malonno fiesta takes place in the 13 km race, with Bonetti and Bonariva.  4,100 runners for the big late-season classic. A real spectacle among vineyards and cellars across the province at the heart of the Alps, for the 13th edition of the Rigamonti Valtellina Wine Trail.

The 13th edition of the Rigamonti Valtellina Wine Trail has once again proved its appeal as a major late-season classic, pulling in top athletes and thousands of fans from all over the world on a day when the competitive show and the spirit of the local area went hand in hand.

42 km: Del Pero completes the hat-trick, Schweigkofler makes a comeback in the race for women in pink

Luca Del Pero returns to the top step of the Rigamonti Valtellina Wine Trail podium. After a tense head-to-head with the bormino Andrea Prandi (Team Dynafit), the Team SCARPA  runner kicked things up a notch and went on to claim his third win in the headline 42 km event, following his successes in 2022 and 2023. His finish time: 2h57'49". Behind him, Andrea Prandi took second in 2h59'49", just two minutes shy of the winner. Luca Arrigoni (ASD Pegarun – Pegacross) completed the podium in 3h08'36".

Among the women, it was Andrea Schweigkofler (Sportclub Merano) who had the breakthrough. Coming through strongly, she took victory (3h38'13"). Second in 3h40'53" was Margherita Vitali (Runaway Milano), and Roberta Jacquin (ASD Pegarun – Pegacross) finished third in 3h41'10". A podium packed into under three minutes, with just 17 seconds separating the second and third finishers.


21 km: Vender and Gaggi go one better again, wins decided by seconds

The 21 km Valtellina Wine Half Trail delivered two fiercely fought contests. In the men’s field, Alberto Vender (Team NEW BALANCE) confirmed last year’s success, winning back-to-back for the second time, clocking 1h29'58"67. Behind him was Mattia Padovani (Team HOKA), second in 1h30'05"89, only seven seconds back, while Luca Cagnati (Team SALOMON) completed the podium in 1h30'28"59.

Another “double” win too for Alice Gaggi (Team BROOKS), who proved herself queen of the half-distance by finishing in 1h49'21"07. Up against her all the way to the final seconds was Martina Bilora (Team NEW BALANCE), second in 1h49'32"08, just 11 seconds behind. Elisa Sortini (Team SPORTSHOES) took the third spot on the podium, closing in 1h51'36"84.

13 km: Bonetti and Bonariva deliver a double win for U.S. Malonno

The 13 km Sassella Trail, starting in Castione Andevenno, brought U.S. Malonno a double celebration. In the men’s race, Matteo Bonetti took victory, stopping the clock at 56'00"51, ahead of Mathias Mora (Team SCARPA), second in 56'11"96, and the Swiss runner Fiorillo Camesi (Team La Sportiva), third in 56'17"13. A real nail-biter: only 16 seconds and 62 hundredths separated the three protagonists of the podium.
 
Completing the double for the local club was Camilla Bonariva, who won the women’s event in 1h08'24"65 and finished fifteenth overall. Behind her was Cristina Treu (Atletica Malignani Libertas UD), second in 1h15'02"79, and the German runner Natalie Rauh, third in 1h15'53"57.

The big support along the course, and nearly 4,000 pizzoccheri

What also made the day special was the fantastic turnout from the public. From the vineyards all the way to the finish line in Sondrio, the cheering accompanied the athletes across all three distances, with an especially heartfelt atmosphere in the towns that took part in the Trofeo del tifo. An initiative that turned the runners’ passage into a shared celebration, with local communities at the heart of the atmosphere that has always been part of the Wine Trail. The award for the most engaging support will be given on Sunday’s final day.

And, just like every big Valtellina get-together, the pizzoccheri couldn’t be missing. In the marquee at Piazza Garibaldi, Astel Teglio prepared and served nearly 4,000 portions, with the pasta carefully rolled by hand following tradition. Hard work to make sure that, after the effort on the trails, the athletes got the dish that symbolises the area. It’s an appointment that’s now become one of the most eagerly anticipated moments of the Wine Trail’s “third time” celebrations.

After the awards, there was a party with the Valtellina Wine Trail Party and music by Gravy DJ.

Sunday’s grand finale with Mini and Family Wine Trail

After the big day of competition, on Sunday 8 November the event will wrap up with appointments dedicated to the youngest participants and families. At 9, it’s time for the Mini Valtellina Wine Trail, followed at 11 by the Family Wine Trail, the non-competitive walk through the streets of Sondrio, part of whose proceeds will go to the Piccola Opera of Traona.

At 12.30 there’ll be lunch with polenta in the marquee at Piazza Garibaldi, while at 3 pm the grand finale will be entrusted to Laura Carusino and Andrea Beltramo, much-loved faces from Rai Yoyo and “L'Albero Azzurro”, bringing a show dedicated to children and families.

In the afternoon, there will also be the awards for the label competition and the Trofeo del tifo, to round off ten days of events that accompanied the 13th edition of the Rigamonti Valtellina Wine Trail.

The full programme is available on www.valtellinawinetrail.com/programma.