The European Handbike Circuit raises emotions in Fossano

Sunday the 21st of July saw the Fossano stage of the European Handbike Circuit conclude. Following on from the thrilling races at Rosenau (France) and Louny (Czech Republic), this third race lived up to expectations, with emotions running high, and the handbikes even faster.

Fossano race 2013: Saturday races
Left: athletes at the starting line
Right: Italian winner of the WH1 division, Roberta Amadeo, driving an Invacare^® Top End^® Force R

Road Race: Italians dominate but the French also prosper

Italians Davide Giozet (V.C. Sommese) and Diego Colombari (Polisportiva Passo Asd) were the respective victors of the MH4, and MH1.1 categories in the road race, which took place on Saturday, over a street circuit of 4.4 kilometers. Another Italian, Mauro Cratassa (Circolo Canottieri Aniene) also recorded a great result, coming third in the MH3 male category: Mauro represented Italy in the Paralympics in London in 2012.
Italian domination continued in the Women’s categories (WH1 and WH2) with Roberta Amedeo (Team MTB Bee And Bike of Bregnano) and the South Tyrolean Claudia Schuler – (G.S Disabili Alto Adige) both triumphing.

However, not to be outdone, the undisputed stars of this third step of the EHC (European Handbike Circuit) were French, with David Franek and David Ernould of Stade Francais crossing the finishing line in style. Both won first place in the MH2 and MH3 road race.

Fossano race 2013: Saturday races
Left: Handbiker in the Invacare^® Top End^®Force RX
Right:French winners of MH2 & MH3 divisions: David Franek and David Ernould

Time Trial: More Italians on the Podium

On Sunday, the event moved to the countryside of Cussanio, where the time trial race took place on a circuit of 6.7 kilometers.
Once again, Italian athletes proved they can compete alongside some of the best international ranking stars in the world. Vittorio Podestà (Barilla Blue Team) and Mauro Cratassa won in the MH2 and MH3 categories. The podium also saw Italians Roberta Amedeo in the WH1 and Francesca Fenocchio (Sportabili Alba Onlus Asd) from WH2 – both winners on the day.

Fossano race 2013 - Sunday Time Trial

Invacare Italy Team: "We had a fantastic time in Fossano, we were there to support all the athletes"

The Invacare^® Italy Team was really happy to support the athletes and the event.

They distributed bags to the athletes with giveaways and information on the race at the races' registration, two Invacare^® Top End^® technicians repaired the athletes' handbikes during the races, the Invacare booth held a showroom with our specialists presenting the latest Invacare^® Top End^® handbikes and küschall^®wheelchairs.

From left to right: Invacare^®bags' distribution to the athletes, Invacare^®technician repairing an athlete's handbike during the race,
Invacare^® Top End^® two technicians on the Invacare^® booth.

The Invacare^® booth also displayed a very modern hometrainer with TV screen to train or discover handcycling and the staff gave thunder sticks to the audience for free in order to better encourage the athletes during the race.

Invacare^® booth with Invacare^® Top End^® and küschall^® showroom with hometrainer

Many thanks to the passionate public of Fossano, who turned out in great numbers: not too surprising as Fossano is a handbike enthusiast city, and plays host to the Giro d’Italia.

Fossano old beautiful town delighted the audience with its historic monuments and traditional parade

Fossano is Finito, but the adventure for the athletes doesn’t stop there. Now it’s on to Barcelona for the final stage of the circuit on 5 and 6 October 2013. Hasta Luego!

The results of all the EHC races are available at the following link.