Tags:
Today is the first day of the Italian National Championships currently underway in Florence.
The men’s 10km race is scheduled for this afternoon, while the women’s race will take place tomorrow at 5:10 pm.
The races take place on a 1,000m circuit on Viale Ferruccio Valcareggi outside the Ridolfi Sports Field in Florence.
The start, however, is on the track, as is the finish.
10km Men
The men’s race is missing its top athletes (Fortunato, Stano, and Cosi), who have chosen to continue their training at the high altitude for the upcoming European Championships. Of the top athletes, only Riccardo Orsoni, who recently became father of Sienna, is present. Congratulations to him and to the mother Cristina Montesinos (ESP) !
Immediately after the start, Riccardo Orsoni, Gianluca Picchiottino, and Emiliano Brigante, who boast the best accreditations, take the lead and set the pace.
After 1km, Orsoni pulls away and gains a few meters on Picchiottino and Brigante couple, who in turn have a twenty-meter lead over Omar Moretti, Ivan Ragozzino, and Cristian Cecchetto.
At 3km, Orsoni’s lead over his two pursuers is approximately 12 seconds.
At 4km, Orsoni’s lead over the Picchiottino/Brigante duo is 17 seconds. In fourth place, Moretti is 36 seconds behind.
At the halfway mark, Riccardo Orsoni continues to lead, with a 40-second advantage over Picchiottino and Brigante. In fourth place is Omar Moretti, followed closely by Cristian Serra and Cristian Cicchetto.
Between 6km and 7km, Orsoni’s lead over his two pursuers continues to increase.
While the battle for the Italian title seems to be settled, around 9km, Gianluca Picchiottino makes a break for it, gaining 12 seconds on Emiliano Brigante. The situation remains unchanged in the final two kilometers.
Official results
Riccardo Orsoni wins in 39:40 (personal best) and becomes Italian Champion.
Second place to Gianluca Picchiottino in 41:06.
Third place to Emiliano Brigante in 41:27 (personal best).
Fourth place to Omar Moretti in 41:37 (personal best).
Fifth place to Cristian Serra in 43:23 (personal best)
Sixth place to Cristian Cecchetto in 45:07
Photo gallery by Francesca Grana/Fidal
