Pedal Power: Maria Acuti’s Triumph at the Internazionale Cycling Festival

From the historic streets of Urbisaglia to the global stage, a young talent’s victory highlights a new chapter for international women’s cycling.

The cobblestones of Urbisaglia saw a masterclass in endurance this weekend. As the sun beat down on the 7.4-kilometre circuit, the Internazionale Cycling Festival reached its high-octane finale, culminating in a brilliant victory for Mantua’s own Maria Acuti. While the race buzzed with the presence of international talent, it was the Biesse Carrera Zambelli rider who claimed the overall success, proving that the future of the sport is in very capable hands.

The event, which kicked off earlier in Porto San Giorgio before moving to its dramatic conclusion, turned the town centre into a sprawling arena. For the first time, the finish line was positioned directly beneath the shadow of the historic Rocca, a move that brought the intensity of professional cycling right to the doorsteps of local residents. Nearly ninety riders took to the start line, navigating a technical course that looped from the heart of the city through the industrial stretches flanking the GiorgioMare facility.

A Global Peloton

The internazionale cycling festival lived up to its name. The grid was a true map of the world, featuring teams and individual riders from across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. From the jerseys of Rwanda and Benin to the representation of Mexico, Ecuador, and Switzerland, the diversity of the field added a layer of complexity to the tactical play. Even Gaia Tormena, the reigning world champion in cross-country eliminator, was in the mix, raising the stakes for every rider on the circuit.

The race rhythm was dictated by a series of fierce sprints. Désirée Bani of the Petrucci Gauss Cycling Team took the first set of flying points, while Michela De Grandis secured the initial mountain prime. By the time the pack headed into the final three laps, the race had splintered. A decisive breakaway formed, led by Ecuador’s Natalie Revelo, joined by Irene Affolati and Martina Alhukova. Revelo, riding for the World Cycling Center Team, pushed the pace relentlessly, eventually taking the win in a display of pure determination.

Why it matters

This event is more than a sporting footnote; it is a snapshot of the shifting landscape in women’s cycling. By integrating the race into the heart of a historic town like Urbisaglia, organizers Vincenzo Santoni and the local administration are proving that cycling can be a powerful engine for regional tourism and development.

The success of the 2026 edition suggests that these "trittico" style events—multi-stage, regional competitions—are becoming the preferred incubator for young talent. When you combine international institutional support, such as the backing from the Marche region and the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI), with the grit of junior riders, you create a sustainable pathway for the sport to grow outside the traditional European cycling hotspots. It’s a blueprint for smaller towns to host world-class competition without losing their local character.