Csio of Rome: the blue team ready for Piazza di Siena

He galvanized his 'boys', the coach Marco Porro, on the eve of the kick-off bell of the 92nd Csio of Rome Piazza di Siena-Master Fratelli D'Inzeo, one of the 7 stages of the Rolex Series. And his words were high-octane propellant for the blue Team (in the photo Mezzelani/Sport e Salute). In the presence of the Fise management, led by the president Marco Di Paola and the secretary Prillo, the National coach promptly described the characteristics and qualities of the 'magnificent four' and their horse-athletes: the inexhaustible Gaudiano (Chalou's Love), the dazzling Giulia Martinengo Marquet (Delta de L'Isle), the young Casadei (Marbella du Chablis) and the veteran Paolo Paini (Casal Dorato, 'product' of the national breeding). Proudly next to them is the new team leader Marco Bergomi, promoted from the youth national teams to the senior one. We at QS have spoken many times about the class, the grit and the competitive courage of these champions of ours, almost always in disparity of strength (read horses) and yet capable of amazing feats. A Piazza di Siena They have some very good ones, but it will be very tough anyway because their opponents have names like the 2nd in the world ranking, the British Olympian Maher, like the Swiss Guerdat (5th) and Fuchs (6th), both multiple winners, the Austrian Kühner (7th), the American McLain Ward (8th), the Irish O'Connor (10th) and the best female rider, the American Kraut (19th).

There are ten nations in the field with the team; and we repeat: Argentina, Brazil, United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Switzerland, USA and Italy. A total of 74 riders from 18 nations participate in the 'five star' races, of which 10 with the team and 8 with individual pairs. As for the Italians, in addition to the Coppa quartet, another 22 Italians are competing, including true champions such as De Luca, winner of the Rolex GP Rome in 2018, and the veteran Arnaldo Bologni, who won it before him (in 1994!) and Bucci, third in 2022.

And again: like the Roman Luca Marziani, already in the winning team of the 2018 Nations Cup. Rai 2, Rai Play and Rai Sport cover the event extensively with live and delayed broadcasts of the main races. Today on Rai Sport live broadcast of the timed race "presented by Range Rover" (15.30-18).