Double sprint with standing ovation that of the organizing committee, led by Luigina, Doretta and Pierangelo Liotto, who have won the presence of two champions of international cycling, giving another great thrill to all those who will flock to Vicenza on 22 April living together the 20th edition of the Gran Fondo Liotto.
Deployed on the grid next to the participants, there will be none other than Davide Rebellin and Alessandro Ballan and we expect strong adrenaline peaks for all those who want to compete with two sacred monsters of the pedal.
Starting with order:
Davide Rebellin, born in 1971, whose enviable palmares boasts, among the many victories: an edition of the Amstel Gold Race (in 2004), three of the Freccia Vallone (in 2004, 2007 and 2009) and one of Liège-Bastogne-Liège (in 2004), in addition to a stage in the Giro d'Italia.
Who has forgotten the thrilling silver at the Beijing Olympics (2008) after a 15 km breakaway won by Samuel Sánchez for half a wheel? A great champion, serious and tireless, an authentic engine still today in excellent physical and mental form, an inexhaustible source for the new recruits who will have the good fortune to be formed under his aegis and enjoy his experience.
Davide is currently in charge at the Belgian-Algerian team Sovac-Natura4ever, with a rich international program, concentrated above all between Belgium, France and North Africa.
His goal now is to perform well in all competitions, bringing his great experience to the new team that has strong ambitions for growth.
Davide is also organizing stages for amateur cyclists on the Côte d'Azur.
(for the program: www.daviderebellin.it).
His motto is aude aliquid dignum (dare something worthy) and comments his choice to run at the grand bottom of the Liotto family:
"It will be the first time I will participate in the grand fund Liotto and I will do it with great pleasure! With the Liotto bikes I got to run in the youth categories and I keep beautiful memories, also for this I thank the Liotto family for their invitation to their show ".
As for the routes, which Davide will experience on Sunday 22nd April, his words: "The race takes place on roads that I know very well because they were my training gym, when I started my first pedal strokes. I lived in the Vicenza area, in Lonigo, where my parents and brothers still live, so I deeply know the Berici hills and it will be a great emotion for me to go back to riding these roads ".
His expert suggestions are valuable for all newcomers who will live with him the experience of the race: "The path is a continuous ups and downs that eventually becomes challenging. These are rather short climbs but some with important slopes, where you have to dose the energies well, face them with rather light and suitable relationships ".
Now the word goes to Alessandro Ballan, born in 1979, another champion from the honored palmares, winner of the Tour of Flanders 2007, graduated world champion in line in 2008 in Varese to mention only two glorious stages of his professional career.
To the question with which spirit you should face the great fund Liotto, here is his answer:
"In my opinion, the spirit of those who participate in this great background should be not only competitive, but also tourism, as we pass through beautiful landscapes to be observed. But I already know that there will be suffering to give the maximum and try to beat opponents. This always happens to me too, I leave with the desire to go slowly, but then I can not and I do my best to get with the first, usually only in the last few kilometers I realize the situation and then pull the brakes and leave the others are the protagonists of the victory ".
Alessandro is currently testimonial for many brands related to the cycling world.
He, like Davide, knows very well the Granfondo Liotto and its routes and, in particular, appreciates the perfect balance between short but challenging climbs and long climbs, but ridable. Also a precious suggestion for facing the kermesse of 22 April in the best way: "It's a nervous race, you have to take it slowly and then give the maximum in the final, especially for those who will do the long. Many times to give the maximum at the start means to waste all the energy and pay the duty at the end of the race ".

The surprises are not over yet, the 20th edition of the Gran Fondo Liotto will be an unprecedented event and the true connoisseurs of the pedal have already made their choice: on April 22nd all in Vicenza together with the Liotto family, Davide Rebellin and Alessandro Ballan!
Registration still open!