Liguria, Italy has become quite a mecca for Enduro biking. This area has been forbidden to bikes for quite a long time, thanks to the commitment of the local MTB Club, Portofino Bike and a new city government that wants to support mountain biking, a lot of riders have had the chance to witness great fat tire comeback on the area.
The view that welcomes the riders to Santa Margherita Ligure, access village to Portofino, is a postcard from Liguria, a region that has seen the birth of modern enduro racing and the area with the highest concentration of costal trails that we are aware of.
Saturday Prologue, organized by Portofino Bike staff, has been an occasion to showcase the ancient Borgo of Santa Margherita Ligure. Renowned for its harbor that hosts incredibly high end boats and sailboats, thanks to the proximity to Portofino, has been gently invaded by strange people on long travel bikes, full face helmets and backpacks.
Massive partecipation to the last event of the season, a sunny and warm weekend on the Ligurian sea, attracted a lot of riders, teams and even shops to attend and witness the “Last dance” of the Superenduro powered by SRAM 2014 season.
Marco Milivinti dominate the last event of the season, showing the same strength and speed that led him to conquer the National PRO title in Sauze d’Oulx in September. The Torpado Factory rider has a DH background but proved that the winter training has paid off even in the long stages of the Superenduro stops.
Pro XC’er, Natalie Schneitter, showed up in Santa Margherita with the goal of a relaxing and fun weekend to close her 2014 season. Is she thinking of becoming a pure enduro racer? Time will tell.
Hard Rock on the Portofino mount trails. This area has been forbidden to bikes for quite a long time, thanks to the commitment of the local MTB Club, Portofino Bike and a new city government that wants to support mountain biking, a lot of riders have had the chance to witness great fat tire comeback on the area.
Andrea Gamenara, a fast and young DH rider, can be the next to convert to Enduro, following Marco’s footsteps. Second step on the GC podium for him in Santa Margherita.
Artist Daniel Yeomans, yes he’s an artist, and a biker, is not anymore a surprise. Aggressive style and determination led him on the third step of the podium today. Well done Dan!
Winter is just around the corner but in Liguria bikes never hibernate. This is a typical scene you can see along the winter season here on the Mediterranean sea.
Santa Margherita postcard. The village welcomed the riders with a friendly atmosphere, we think we will not be wrong saying that the MTB community will come back here after a very successful “opening”.
Waiting for the award ceremony. The last stop of the season had quite a big crowd. And the local Government is looking into Mountain Biking as one of the future activities for the local tourism.
The last podium of the year, with all 2014 winners. See you in 2015!
Linka
Shuttles, guides: A.S.D. Portofino Bike portofinobike.it/
Hotels and accomodation experiencemyportofino@gabilatour.com
smlturismo.it
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