This past Sunday saw the 34th edition of the Maratona dles Dolomites. CycloWorld talked to the men and women who rode at the front.
TIm Alleman (6th) looks back on a successful first participation. "This year the level was really high. The first seven riders were as fast or faster than the course record. My preparation was good. I finished 2nd in the Galibier Challenge and I won the GFNY La Vaujany. Until the top of the Giau I was a contender for 2nd place, but unfortunately I had to let go on the descent. I couldn't close the gap on the Valporola anymore. I'm really happy with my first Maratona."
Fredric Glorieux (10th) Expressed his enjoyment for the surroundings, which were the best he had ever seen. "I was in a group of five until 3km from the top of Falzarego, competing for second place. But I was completely drained because I had taken too few carbohydrates. This is a really tough race, because there's a lot of hard riding both up and downhill. In retrospect, I lost too much energy by not being assertive enough in the descents during the Sella round. I had the feeling I could have done better, but afterwards I'm still proud of a top 10 spot in such a highly regarded event."
Dutch success in the women's race. Martha Maltha won, while Carla Mellema finished 4th. Mellema was very happy with that: "I had a lot of ambition at the start. My preparation was a bit of a mess. Luckily, the start went well and the legs felt better than the previous days. On the first climb the front group was unfortunately gone. The Sella Ronda went completely according to plan and I still felt strong. In the valley I rode with a select group to the Giau. This climb went well, but it was certainly not easy. On the flat part of the Valporola I caught up with a lady with whom I rode to the top, but I had no idea what my race position was. Unfortunately she descended faster and became 3rd. If I had known that... So tactically there is still something to learn. In my category I became first, which I'm very proud of."
The women's race was won by Martha Maltha. "It was an exceptionally good day for me. I was in a good flow from the beginning. I rode alone in the lead and was able to maintain the same pace uphill throughout the Sella Ronda. Whereas in the previous two editions on from the Giau I collapsed in terms of power, now I could keep my pace constant. On the Giau, I was even able to enjoy it and from that moment I also started dreaming of victory. This is the best win of my career, this has always been my main goal so I am very proud."
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