FROM MUD TO PODIUM: A SUCCESSFUL WEEKEND FOR
TEAM PLAYBIKER - IRON HORSE IN PRAGELATO

The weather forecast called for a
winter-like weekend, and so it was, for the
first race of the Italian National Series
held in Pragelato. Team Playbiker - Iron
Horse was there in full force, and even with
the extreme weather conditions the results
were extremely satisfactory for the team,
due mostly to the presence of many
international riders, including Ben Reid,
who had been our guest and training pal in
Pila for the previous week. In the overall
Lorenzo Suding, Mike Skinner and Nathan
Rankin (who was first in the seeding run
with a 7 seconds margin) got third, fourth
and fifth, with only Thibaut Ruffin and the
winner Alan Beggin ahead of them, for an
Iron Horse filled podium. First and second
for Floriane Pugin and Elisa Canepa, who
showed what they are worth in such difficult
conditions. The good weekend was completed
by Paolo Alleva's win in the Master 1-2
category. Positive race for Adam Brayton and
Luca Bertocchi, which confirms the excellent
team spirit which has developed in the last
months.
Before the prize giving ceremony all the
racers paid homage to our friend Alan
Beggin's dad Gianni, who recently passed
away. Team Playbiker - Iron Horse's riders
decided to wear a black band on their arm
during the race to commemorate Gianni's
memory, and the race organizer Luca Colomba
entitled the Pragelato course to Gianni's
memory, making Alan's victory even more
special.
After the race the team returned to Pila for
a full day of laundry, before leaving again
for the World Cups in Andorra and Fort
William.
Team Playbiker - Iron Horse is the first
international UCI trade team based in Italy
specialized in gravity racing. The team is
supported by factory sponsors: Iron
Horse Bicycles, UFO Plast, Kenda tires, Pila
MTB Planet, Funn components, RMS Component
Selection, A-Class Wheels, Five Ten,
POC, SRAM, Rock Shox and Insight
Productions.
Simon Cittati
PLAYBIKER - IRON HORSE
Road Manager
Cell. +39.338.4016142