Alberto Canobbio Memorial - XCO MTB Race

A race in the heart of the Piedmontese Apennines

The Alberto Canobbio Memorial is one of the most cherished cycling events in the Ovadese area, held in the municipality of Molare, in the province of Alessandria. The race takes place at the Parco Faunistico dell'Appennino in the Cerreto locality, at the gateway to the upper Orba Valley: an ideal natural setting featuring meadows, woodlands, and dirt tracks perfectly suited for mountain biking, particularly cross-country disciplines.

An XCO event for young riders

This is an official Italian Cycling Federation race reserved for the giovanissimi category, specifically young cyclists aged 7 to 12. The competition follows the Olympic Cross Country (XCO) format and, in recent seasons, the faster and more spectacular short track (XCC) format. It features twelve categories in total—six male and six female—with courses differentiated by length and technical difficulty based on age.

The event attracts dozens of young athletes from numerous regional clubs; a recent edition saw 68 young riders at the starting line, a testament to the strong bond between the event and the Piedmontese cycling community.

Memory and passion for cycling

The race is held in memory of Alberto Canobbio, known to all as Bebo, a vice-president and instructor at the Uà Cycling Team cycling school, who passed away in November 2020. The Memorial continues his work of introducing children to cycling, a core value of the team's educational project. The event is organized by the ASD Uà Cycling Team with the patronage of the Municipality of Molare.

Sport and local territory

The Canobbio Memorial is also a great opportunity to discover the Parco Faunistico dell'Appennino and the Ovadese hinterland, an area of great natural interest between Piedmont and the Ligurian border. The race day is enriched by the festive atmosphere typical of youth sporting events, complete with cheering families and the dedication of local sports clubs.