Racing in Italy

Here is a great picture coached rider Rich Pearson atop Stevlio Pass in Italy. I met Rich in 2005 when I was guiding Italian bike tours with Granfondo Cycling Tours, and have been coaching him since shortly thereafter. Rich had some major successes last year, but one off his goals for this year was to finish the "medio" course of the Granfondo Campagnolo, a race over 120km and 3 mountain passes, in under 5 hours. In 2005 he did it in 6:01 and was 55th out of 105 in his age group. For 2007, Rich came back leaner and meaner to finish a slightly longer course in 4:42, placing 12th out of 105 riders in his age group. Good Job Rich!