Gilberto Simoni presents the first cyclo-sport-race «Granfondo Charly Gaul» on the slopes of the Monte Bondone !

An evening initiated by ACC Contern and SaF Ceisséng in collaboration with éditions Saint Paul, RTL and the foundation "Amis de Charly Gaul" !

More than 200 persons have assisted on Monday, February 13, 2006 in the Centre Culturel de Cessange at the presentation of the first edition of the cyclo-sport-race Granfondo Charly Gaul that will take place on Saturday, June 10, 2006 in the region of Trento in Italy with finish on top of the Monte Bondone, the climb that Luxemburgish cycling champion Charly Gaul has made famous 50 years ago under terrible weather conditions during a legendary stage of the Giro d'Italia 1956!

Gilberto Simoni and Maurizio Fondriest on the Bondone (December 2005)
Simoni and Fondriest on the Bondone (December 2005)

« To hounour this performance with dignity, the region of Trento has battled for a long time in order to obtain this year a new stage finish of the Giro d'Itlia 2006 on top of the Monte Bondone » explained the representitives of the Trento Tourist Office in Cessange, namely director Carlo Guardini and his two assistants Mrs Michela Filippi and Mr Antonio Moroni.

After that, Gilberto Simoni, the double winner of the Giro d'Italia and native of the region, presented the course of the cyclo-sport-race. The start will be in the magnificiant center of Trento itself, the riders will then climb over the Passo Manghen (2050m above sea level) and finish after 150 km on top of the Monte Bondone. For less trained riders, there will also be a small course with only the climb of the Monte-Bondone over a distance of 22 km. Gilberto Simoni has launched himself the promotion of the first « Granfondo Charly Gaul » in Italy three days before Christmas by climbing the Monte Bondone in sunny but ice-cold weather conditions together with some leisure cyclists and some former champions like Maurizio Fondriest or Aldo Moser, who raced against Charly Gaul 50 years ago!

Gilberto Simoni with Fabienne and Josée Gaul
Gilberto Simoni with Josée and Fabienne Gaul

Charly Gaul has unfortunately left us forever some weeks ago and Mr. Lino Nicolussi, president of the local club « Bondonieri » had held an emotional tribute to the great champion. Due to his legendary ride in the snow 50 years ago on that 8th of June, the region of Trento and the Monte Bondone have been revealed to the whole world by the medias!

ACC Contern, who will organize in September 2006 the 17th edition of the "La Charly Gaul" in Luxembourg, will join the organization of the Gran-Fondo Charly Gaul on the slopes of the Monte Bondone together with the foundation "Amis de Charly Gaul" by organizing a bus trip to Trento from June 8th to June 11th, 2006. This trip will offer to all Luxemburgish but also Belgian, French, Dutch or German cycling fans to be present at the race on Saturday, June 10, should they want to ride or simply want to watch!

The representatives of the Embassy of Italy in Luxembourg, MM. Maurizio Canfora and Antonio d’Andrieu have expressed their joy at the idea of an event that will build up long-lasting friendship between people of different countries, united beyond all borders by the passion for their sport!

La Saga Charly Gaul
La saga Charly Gaul

In presence of MM Charles Ruppert and Léon Zeches from the board of directors of the éditions Saint Paul, this was also the perfect occasion to present to the public a new book over the faboulous career of Charly Gaul, written in the last weeks by Mr. Gast Zangerlé in collaboration with MM. Roland Beck, Henri Bressler, Fernand Thill and Marc Vanacker. The book titled « La saga Charly Gaul » or « Der Mythos Charly Gaul » is now available in French and German in all the good libraries of the country!

In the name of the host Ville de Luxembourg, Mrs Anne Brasseur has expressed her gratitude to the organizers for implicating the municipality of Luxembourg into an organization joining the cycling families of Italy and Luxembourg through an extraordinary event, the « Granfondo Charly Gaul » on June 10th in Trento. Mrs Brasseur has also anounced that the municipality of Luxembourg wanted to associate the name of Charly Gaul to Luxembourgs big criterium for Pro-riders (Gala Tour de France) that will take place next Summer.


Pictures: ACC Contern / Trento Tourist Office

1st Gran Fondo Charly Gaul - Trento-Monte-Bondone >>

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