The Gran Fondo Memorial Sergio Favre, part of the "Gran Finale di Chicco" event in Saint-Barthélemy – Nus, Italy, joins the Ski Classics Challengers circuit with a 50km long-distance race in classic technique on March 28, 2026.
Held at the Gran Tor di Saint-Barthélemy Cross-Country Ski Center in the Aosta Valley, the event will be a central part of the Italian Cross-Country Ski Championships 2026 and will also mark the farewell to competitions of Olympic and World Championship medalist Federico Pellegrino. The celebrations, set in the picturesque tracks above Nus, will combine top-level racing with a tribute to one of Italy's most successful cross-country skiers.
The Gran Fondo Memorial Sergio Favre takes place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, featuring multiple race distances, all in classic technique. The main long-distance events are the 50km and 25km races, with the 50km event registered as a Ski Classics Challengers competition.
The 50km race is open to elite and recreational skiers and will crown the Italian Champions in several categories. In addition to the 50km and 25km, a non-competitive event, "Eunsemblo à Chicco," will offer 2.5km, 10km, and 25km distances, allowing recreational skiers and families to be part of the celebration.
The Italian Championships program spans three days, from March 26 to 29, 2026, and includes individual start races in freestyle technique, long-distance mass-start races in classic technique, and mixed relays. The weekend's competitions will bring together the best Italian cross-country skiers in an emotional season finale and a collective farewell to Federico Pellegrino.
With its high-altitude setting in Saint-Barthélemy, known for its reliable snow conditions and scenic alpine landscape, the event offers both competitive racing and a festive atmosphere, uniting elite athletes, masters, and recreational skiers in the heart of the Aosta Valley.