The eternal city prepares for Longines Global Champions Tour GP.

The wait is nearly over. Today, the Italian capital plays host to the Longines Global Champions Tour GP where 21 of the best riders in the world will be battling for the win at the Stadio dei Marmi in Rome.
Luciana Diniz meanwhile will be presented with a golden chance to reclaim the tour leadership from Scottish rider Scott Brash who is absent from the big event after choosing to take part in the Calgary Masters instead this weekend.
The Portuguese rider held the tour leadership for large spells this season and will be seeking to go back to the top in Rome. Diniz will be competing with Fit For Fun while her other mount Winningmood will be used for the next leg in Vienna.
Events at the majestic setting in Rome got underway yesterday with John Whitaker and Simon Delestre winning the first and second trials with Castlefield Cristobal and Chesall respectively.
Italy’s riders have also made a bright start and Emanuele Massimiliano Bianchi claimed a podium finish in third in the trial won by Whitaker. The Italian rider was competing with Zycalin W and finished behind Swiss rider Jane Richard Philips in second.
In that same trial, Daniele Augusto Da Rios finished in 11th place with For Passion. Here are the results from that CSI5* over 1.45m: http://www.globalchampionstour.com/events/2015/rome/results/1398/class-04-rome-2015-csi5-145m/
In the feature class meanwhile, Emanuele Gaudiano took another podium finish and came in second with Admara 2. Fellow Italian Lorenzo De Luca also picked up a very good result and finished in 7th place with Silverstras following a double clear.
The other home riders came as follows:
14th Matilde Giorgia Bianchi with Lejano
15th Daniele Augusto Da Rios with Baedeker
19th Emanuele Massimiliano Bianchi with Isco de Amoranda
See here for more: http://www.globalchampionstour.com/events/2015/rome/results/1399/class-05-rome-2015-csi5-150m/
www.globalchampionstour.com
photo: Stefano Grasso / LGCT