Superenduro Round 4, 2017 - Calestano: Day 1 by BWinder

The Superenduro (Italian Enduro Series) is back. For the fourth round this year we’re in the Parma region in a small town named Calestano. A riding destination unknown to most but that holds gems, from rocky technical stages, to fast flowy stages. It might not have Mont Blanc watching over, like La Thuile, or the towering Dolomites overhead like Canazei, but it’s riding talks for itself. Calestano is definitely on my radar now.

With everything all to play for here in the overall, Vittorio Gambirasio is leading by just 40 points, followed by Nicola Casadei. But as such an underground location and with rain forecast, the win could be anyone's come race day.

The race itself is made up of four stages, 1,637m of descending and 44km of pedaling. They are made up of fast, technical, demanding, and flow. Superenduro head honcho, Enrico Guala, told me that stage four is one of his favourite stages of the year. All the stages will be quite heavily affected by the weather, and with the heavens scheduled to open come Sunday, riders will be expecting super slippery and sketchy conditions.

Welcome to Calestano, with rolling hills and stunning villages nestled in the hillside.

Stage map is pinned up in the center of town showing all the stages. There s 44km of riding in total although all the climbs are steady nothing to difficult.

The stage map is pinned up in the center of town, showing all the stages. There's 44km of riding in total, although all the climbs are steady with nothing too difficult.

Shuttling is allowed during practice, but riders without access to a shuttle spent the day pedaling to each stage.

No moto, stages this way.

It was a misty morning today, the church near the top of stage one and three poking its spire through the clouds.

The final part of the liaison to stages one and three is along this exposed ridge line.

And riders drop into stage one.

With a bit of rain yesterday the stages were slippery first thing.

The highest start point is 888m, but the valleys and exposure are quite incredible.

Trains riders seemed to just having fun riding together today.

Trains: riders seemed to be having fun riding together today.

The mist lingered at the top of stage one or quite some time today.

The mist lingered at the top of stage one for quite some time today.

The final bits of taping and safety were put in today.

This trails aren t heavily used so there s an amazing mixture of rock and dirt.

These trails aren't heavily used, so there's an amazing mixture of rock and dirt.

The slippery dirt caught a few people out today.

Vittorio Gambirasio came through this tight rock section on stage three at a serious pace, it'll be interesting to see this section in the wet.

The top of stage three is fast and open, with a few natural berms.

Enrico Guala rode the stages today, checking them and having a lot of fun. Here he is on stage four, a very British style of trail. He told me he has to ride this stage again tomorrow.