Riccardo Montani: an unforgettable arrival

Several months have passed now, but his joy at the finish has remained impressed in everyone’s eyes: the 2018 winner of Bettelmatt Trail 52 km, Riccardo Montani, tells us about his emotions after his triumph in Riale Formazza

The arrival of BUT – says the young athlete from Cusco – was unforgettable because in Riale, a place that I already loved, I found many relatives and friends welcoming me, who are not always able to follow me. Crossing the finish line first means getting the best reward for all the efforts made and doing it in front of them had added value.

What is your favorite point of the BUT path?

The BUT enjoys a crazy background, having to choose the brow at  Refuge 3A, the apex of the race, the moment in which the climb in the snowfield is greeted and the dive towards Lago dei Sabbioni begins.

The victory at the BUT 52 km consecrated you champion and brought you to the national team (at the Skyrunning World Championships); 2019 will be the year of confirmation, what are your goals for this season?

This year I aim to follow several races of the Skyrunner Italy Series calendar. I will then participate in the FISky rallies (the next one on the occasion of the Amalfi Positano Ultratrail in May) and if I continue well in the European Skyrunning in Val Bognanco at the Veia Skyrace. Also in late August OCC and to finish UTLO. The closest event is the Maremontana 45K. The agenda is full, I hope to compete well in all these commitments, especially in the last ones mentioned.

Why do you think you need to run BUT Formazza?

The best reason to run it is certainly for the high mountain territory along which the route develops, which is magnificent. But the choice of Saturday as race day and the Itra and UTMB points (3 for 52 and 2 for 35, ed) are also “nice”.