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In pictures: The debut edition of Challenge Cesenatico

The debut edition of Challenge Cesenatico, Italy, from behind the lens of José Luis Hourcade. See the race day action - and the stunning Italian scenery - as it unfolded.
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
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The newest edition to the Challenge Family portfolio of events took place this past Sunday in Italy – Challenge Cesenatico.

Situated on the Adriatic Coast, the port town of Cesenatico sits in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. The area itself is not completely fresh to the Challenge organisation, with past events based in Rimini and Riccione taking advantage of the stunning local roads, providing great cycling, as well as easy transport access from almost anywhere in Europe.

Cesenatico is no stranger to holding large scale sporting events either, including the Nove Colli sportive, which will take place this coming Sunday with more than 6,000 riders. It’s also a town I have visited regularly in years past, a fine location for triathlon or cycling training camps with plenty of quiet, scenic roads to enjoy.

With sprint, relay and swim/bike options as well as the headline middle distance race, the event proved to be popular, with 1,400 athletes represented by 22 nations first time out, which represents impressive figures for a debut edition.

A regular on these pages, photographer José Luis Hourcade (www.joseluishourcade.com) was on hand to capture the race in pictures, as well as some of the amazing scenery that this region has to offer.

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Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Two-time Olympian, Alessandro Fabian gets ready to race on home turf
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
The Men’s Pro race gets started
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
The Pro Women followed just three minutes later
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
One of several age-group starts head into the Adriatic
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
The route into T1
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Six men were in close order exiting the 1.9km opening discipline
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Great Britain’s Abigail Bedwell was well clear before her chasers – pictured above – reached the beach almost 90 seconds later
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Home favourite Fabian riding strongly in the early miles
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Plenty of small towns and villages here to keep things interesting
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Early stages on the bike for the men’s Pro race
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Sven Thalman (SUI) was one of those pushing the pace for mush of the ride
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
No shortage of history here
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Swim leader, Abi Bedwell (GBR), lead the race through the first 30km of the bike
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Charlotte Faivre (FRA) was the first to catch the British swim pace-setter
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Superb racing conditions
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Ognjen Stojanovic (SRB) in the small chase group on two wheels
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Aurelia Boulanger (FRA) would catch her compatriot around 60km in – and build a T2 advantage of three minutes
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
The perfect cycling roads of this region provide a great backdrop for racing
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
If you’d rather watch than race, the port of Cesenatico provides plenty of bars and restaurants to cheer from
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
First off the bike, Arne Reiss (GER) would not be able to hold of the run pace of Alessandro Fabian
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Ognjen Stojanovic would eventually run through to second place
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Boulanger added the fastest run split to extend her lead and secure a clear victory margin
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Charlotte Faivre made it a French one-two
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Austria’s Gabriele Obmann running to complete the podium, less than a minute clear of Bedwell
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Home victory for Alessandro Fabian
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Aurelia Boulanger takes the tape for her first Pro victory

Challenge Cesenatico Results 2024

Sunday 12 May 2024 – 1.9 km / 92 km / 21.1 km

ELITE WOMEN

  • 1. Aurelia Boulanger (FRA) – 4:35:12
  • 2. Charlotte Faivre (FRA) – 4:43:28
  • 3. Gabriele Obman (AUT) – 4:45:15
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family

ELITE MEN

  • 1. Alessandro Fabian (ITA) – 4:00:39
  • 2. Ognjen Stojanovic (SRB) – 4:01:43
  • 3. Arne Leiss (GER) – 4:03:01
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
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