Teodora and Ludovico Memorial / Ranalli Trophy — Central Italy Youth MTB Grand Prix

A mountain bike weekend in the heart of the Peligna Valley

In the small village of Roccacasale, perched on the slopes of Monte Rotella in the province of L'Aquila, every spring hosts one of the most anticipated mountain bike events in Central Italy. On the Via Terra Vecchia bike park track, the ASD Pavind Bike Team, led by president Giovanni Salerno and in collaboration with the Municipality of Roccacasale, sets up a weekend of racing that attracts hundreds of athletes from all over Italy.

Three events in one weekend

The event brings together three distinct competitions under one roof, each with its own identity and history:

• Fernando Ranalli Trophy: a race reserved for the youngest riders (aged 7 to 12), named in memory of Fernando Ranalli, a historic figure in Abruzzo cycling and a tireless promoter of initiatives dedicated to young students.
• Teodora and Ludovico Memorial: the competitive youth race that serves as the first stage of the Central Italy Youth MTB Grand Prix, one of the benchmark circuits for developing cross-country talent in Central Italy. The memorial is dedicated to Teodora and her son Ludovico, victims of a tragedy in January 2021.
• Pavind Trophy: the race open to international FCI, Under 23, Elite, and Master categories, included in the national Top Class XCO calendar — the only race of this level in Abruzzo, awarding valuable points for the national ranking.

The track and the atmosphere

The bike park course spans a loop of approximately 3.9 kilometers with an elevation gain of 172 meters per lap; the surface is almost entirely dirt, with just a couple hundred meters of asphalt and a short ramp reaching gradients of up to 21%. For the youngest riders in the Ranalli Trophy, a shorter circuit is laid out, between 350 and 500 meters depending on the category. The bike park thus becomes a large open-air stage, where families, fans, and enthusiasts follow the races from morning until sunset, in a festive atmosphere that unites sport, community, and the local area.

A growing event

Born in 2021, the event has grown year after year, exceeding five hundred participants in the most recent edition, confirming itself as one of the most important showcases for youth and competitive mountain biking in the Abruzzo and Central Italian landscape. Roccacasale, one of the most picturesque villages in the Peligna Valley, confirms its status as a land of cycling and great sporting passion.