Sagan's first marathon in the Dolomites: "Here the pure pleasure of those who love cycling"

Everything is ready in Corvara. The luckiest ones, those who were able to take a few days off, have already been here for a few days. In Val Badia, the organizational machine, under the impeccable direction of Claudio Canins, has already sorted out all the details for the 38th edition of the Maratona dles Dolomites, which will start tomorrow morning at 6:30 from La Villa. The 8,000 participants have already filled the facilities in the area. After a long period of heat even at high altitude, there could be a risk of storms for the slower competitors: in any case, there is an obligation to bring a raincoat to the grid, to wear in case of rain or cold. "A common sense rule - said the director of the Maratona, Canins -, in 2024 several cyclists arrived with problems due to inadequate clothing".

The success of the Maratona comes from cycling in the most beautiful places in the world and making those lucky enough to get a bib feel like the center of attention. Tomorrow there will be many great former cyclists. After his debut in 2023, with a long stretch covered in the leading group and a finale that drove the fans crazy by soaring on the Mur dl Giat, Vincenzo Nibali returns to Corvara, together with Daniel Oss, Fabio Aru, Alan Marangoni and Pippo Pozzato. Ready to satisfy the many requests for souvenir photos is Miguel Indurain, who after paralyzing the Maratona Village last year, returns to Val Badia as an Enervit ambassador. And there he will meet one of his historic rivals, Gianni Bugno.

Making his debut at the Marathon is Peter Sagan, who after winning practically every one-day race, stopped competing a year ago. "It's truly a great pleasure - said the Slovakian - to participate for the first time in the Maratona dles Dolomites, I'm honored to be part of an event that has become legendary. People have always spoken highly of it, now I will finally have the opportunity to experience it firsthand. I will ride with my friends at Sportful through breathtaking landscapes and with thousands of amateurs who, like me, deeply love cycling. I always try to pay particular attention to children and young people who are approaching our sport: they are the future. This is why I will be present at the Maratona for Kids on Saturday morning together with Paolo Bettini and Maria Canins: a special moment to convey to them the values ​​that cycling represents. Tomorrow instead I will enjoy the energy of the public along with the climbs and descents of the Dolomites, without worrying about time or performance. Here we ride for the pure pleasure of doing it: we should all aim for fun, safety and mutual respect".