Italians perform well in Compiegne Endurance

Martina Lui and Patrizia Giacchero put in positive performances at the Compiegne Ride championship held over the weekend at the Compiegne Endurance Village near Paris.The first event, the CEIO FEI 160*** km, attracted more than 70 riders from Spain, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, the UAE, France and Bahrain while the second event CEIOJY** su 130 km, saw a number of Brazilian and Algerians participate.The course was more or less the same as the 2000 World Championship as it headed out into the beautiful countryside and forest around Piccardia.Two Italian riders, Simona Garatti on Z’Tadore al Maury and Chiara Rosi on Filieri had to drop out when their mounts pulled up which saw the Azzurri lose the chance of holding on to a silver medal which had been well within reach up until then.Martina Lui on Jo Faoruza and Patrizia Giacchero on Locace continued to show good form, but fortune was not on Italy’s side in the individual events either.Diana Origgi and Gianluca Laliscia, on Pervinca della Bosana and Kohl, respectivaly where eliminated by the second gate while Mauro Bonotto on Flammot and Alessandra Brunelli on Ermen retired at the third.The 160km was won by the home team of Laurent Mosti, Guy Dumas, Jean Philipew, who maintained an average speed of 20km per hour. France were followed by Switzerland and Bahrain while Italy had to content themselves with sixth place. France also won the the 130km with Roman Lafaure, Justin Mourou and Laetitia Goncalves completing the course in an average speed of 20.817km per hour. Belgium followed the French home. The Italy team saw Luca Zapettini on Rucola finished 13th and Elena Mariotti on Nikador 30th whilst Arianna Betti on El Walded was eliminated in the third round as her mount was limping.