Barnaby and Bilham Win Treacherous Challenge Sanremo

Italian Gregory Barnaby and Emma Bilham of Switzerland won the inaugural men’s and women’s editions of a brutal Challenge Sanremo. On a course with steep climbs and tight turns in northwestern Italy, Barnaby pulled away in the final kilometer on the run to win the men’s race in 4:11:59. Bilham cascaded down the Ghimbegna Pass on the bike leg and converted the margin into a comfortable victory in the women’s race by finishing in 4:50:10.

Men’s Race

Swede Sven Thalmann was first out of the water in the 1.9 km swim, followed closely by Spaniard Pabalo Dapena. On the bike Dapena had a mechanical and had to withdraw.

Thalmann was caught by a surging chase back that included Frenchmen William Mennesson and Simon Viain. Mennesson and Viain dueled up the 17 km Ghimbegna Pass and zipped down to reach eye-popping speeds of 85 kph.

The two would finish the bike leg together with Barnaby three minutes down to start the run. Slowly, Barnaby chipped away at the leaders until the last kilometer, when he passed both Mennesson and Viain.

Women's Race

Brit Lucy Byram led the women’s field out of the water, followed by Justine Guerard of France and Alanis Siffert of Switzerland. Guerard and Siffert were joined on the bike by Bilham, and the three pulled away from Byram.

Once again the climbs and technical descent broke the women’s race open. Bilham plunged down the Ghimbegna Pass and opened up a four minute lead at the end of the bike leg. “I gave myself a few frights. I am sorry to whomever was on the scooter with me,” Bilham joked after the race.

Bilham held the gap on the run to cross the line in first, followed by Guerard and fellow Frenchwomen Jeanne Collonge.

MENS RESULTS

Gregory Barnaby (ITA) 4:11:59
William Mennesson (FRA) 4:12:15
Simon Viain (FRA) 4:12:43

WOMENS RESULTS

Emma Bilham (SUI) 4:50:10
Justine Guerard (FRA) 4:54:26
Jeanne Collonge (FRA) 4:57:13

Photos: Challenge Family/Roberto Del Bianco