XC Macurano – Andrea Torsello Memorial

An MTB race among the caves of Macurano

The XC Macurano – Andrea Torsello Memorial is a cross-country (XC) mountain bike competition held in Alessano, a small town in lower Salento in the province of Lecce, Puglia. Organized by ASD MTB Alessano with the patronage of the Municipality of Alessano, the race takes place in the evocative setting of the Macurano rupestrian settlement and the Montesardo ridge, winding through rocks, single tracks, and ancient paths.

The Course

The track is a loop of approximately 7 kilometers with an elevation gain of just over 150 meters per lap. The course alternates short climbs with moderately technical descents suitable for all levels, offering riders breathtaking views of the Montesardo ridge and the system of caves carved into the limestone rock. It is a fast and challenging circuit where adrenaline takes center stage, yet it remains accessible even to less experienced athletes.

A Sporting Memorial

Since 2025, the event has borne the name of Andrea Torsello, the beloved former president of ASD MTB Alessano, to whose memory the race is dedicated. This emotional connection makes the event particularly meaningful for the Salento cycling community, which gathers every year to ride in honor of a key figure in the local amateur movement.

The Challenge Bike Salento Circuit

The XC Macurano is a stage of the Challenge Bike Salento (CBS) UISP circuit, which brings together the main mountain bike races in Salento. Competition categories range from Juniors to Elite, including numerous men's Master age groups and Women's categories, with awards for the top three in each category, the two largest teams, and a special tribute for all female athletes.

Macurano, Salento's Rupestrian Heritage

Racing in Macurano means immersing yourself in a place of great historical and landscape value: the rupestrian settlement, with its caves and shelters carved into the stone, bears witness to centuries of peasant and monastic life in the territory of Alessano and the nearby hamlet of Montesardo. The race thus becomes an opportunity to showcase an authentic and lesser-known corner of Puglia, where outdoor sports and cultural heritage meet.