27 February 2026

Transcavallo day 1

Piancavallo, February 27, 2026 — The 43rd edition of the Transcavallo kicked off in Piancavallo (Aviano) under the banner of Sonia Brussoz and Alex Oberbacher. The first 2026 stage of La Grande Course, the circuit of the great classic ski mountaineering races of the “Old Continent,” took place in ideal weather conditions, with clear skies and almost spring-like temperatures accompanying the athletes along a technical and selective course.

The route featured approximately 750 meters of elevation gain, divided between a long, demanding climb and a shorter but decisive final section, with the finish line located near the Val dei Sass mountain hut.

Day one, starting with a mass start format, immediately set a fast pace. In the men’s race, Italy’s Alex Oberbacher claimed victory, stopping the clock at 36:14.40, just 6 seconds ahead of Federico Nicolini. Nadir Maguet finished third, 1 minute and 42 seconds behind.

In the women’s field, France’s Sonia Brussoz dominated, winning in 48:00.38. Behind her, Czech athlete Marcela Vasinova and Italy’s Martina Valmassoi battled closely for the remaining podium positions.

The event will enter its ending phase tomorrow with stage two along the ridges of Monte Guslon. The course, over 22 kilometers long with around 2,500 meters of positive elevation gain, will include the spectacular and feared ascent of the Canalino delle Placche, featuring gradients exceeding 50 degrees. As tradition dictates, this stage will determine the final standings of the team race, based on the combined times of both days.

As for the team classification, the battle for overall victory will be between Alex Oberbacher with William Boffelli and Nadir Maguet with Federico Nicolini. In the women’s competition, Sonia Brussoz teamed up with Marcela Vasinova will have to defend their lead against the duo of Cecilia De Filippo and Dimitra Teocharis.

On the same day, the Classic Individual Race is also scheduled—an individual competition with a high technical level but shorter distance and elevation gain.

Top 5 – Men
Alex Oberbacher – 36:14.40
Federico Nicolini – 36:20.60
Nadir Maguet – 37:57.34
Jacques Lino Chanoine – 38:19.21
William Boffelli – 38:41.64

Top 5 – Women
Sonia Brussoz – 48:00.38
Marcela Vasinova – 49:13.15
Martina Valmassoi – 49:21.31
Maria Dimitra Theocharis – 49:34.00
Cecilia De Filippo Roia – 50:35.92