Koshi Narita triumphs at the Gran Premio Città di Cortona: first Japanese victory in Tuscany

It had never happened before in Toscana at least as far as we can remember, that a Japanese athlete won a race in our region. The author of this feat, Koshi Narita, student, 18 years old in August. The historical event in the afternoon of May Day in Mercatale di Cortona in the traditional City of Cortona Grand Prix where the oriental athlete beat four breakaway companions in the sprint. On his jersey the writings of sponsors also Tuscan, such as Neri Sottoli di Cerbaia di Lamporecchio of Alessio and Stefano Baronti, and Hopplà of Claudio Lastrucci, in addition to the link with Team Franco Ballerini of Pistoia.

"We are following this young man - says the sports director of Ballerini Luca Scinto - who is not yet 18 years old, having been born on August 6, 2007, and next July we will sign him up for our association. An interesting young man with a quick start that allowed him to win in Valdichiana". Will he race again in Tuscany in the next few days? "Tomorrow, Sunday, he will be at the start of the Gran Premio Calzaturifici e Calzifici in Stabbia di Cerreto Guidi, where after the success of May 1st in the province of Arezzo he will be particularly eagerly awaited by everyone".

The winner, very happy after the finish line, raised his bicycle in the air to the applause of the athletes. Also present at the Arezzo race was the president of the Tuscany Regional Cycling Committee Luca Menichetti, who appreciated and applauded the feat of the young oriental athlete, as did the athletes present and the organizers of the competition.

Narita beat in the sprint the Florentine Mattia Ballerini and the Emilian Luca Fabbri both of the Team Vangi Calenzano. The success of the Japanese has aroused admiration and an initiative has already been decided immediately. Tomorrow Sunday in Stabbia, where the Juniores race is scheduled for the afternoon (starting at 15 pm), Narita will be celebrated, while on Monday 5th in the morning at the Neri Sottoli company in Cerbaia di Lamporecchio he will be awarded by the president of the Tuscany Regional Cycling Committee Luca Menichetti. Finally, on Wednesday 7th he is scheduled to leave for Japan for school commitments, awaiting his return in July.

Antonio Mannori