by InTrieste
The Italian Enduro Championship is coming to Friuli Venezia Giulia for the first time in over a decade, bringing top-level mountain biking to the scenic Natisone Valleys from September 26 to 28. The announcement was made at a press conference at the Regional Council headquarters in Udine on Tuesday, attended by Regional Councilor for Productive Activities and Tourism Sergio Emidio Bini, San Pietro al Natisone Mayor Cesare Pinatto, and Antonio Comugnaro, president of the Natisone and Torre Mountain Community.
“Events like this help promote and showcase our territory,” Bini said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among public administrations, associations, and volunteers. “This teamwork enables results such as those presented today, showing that perseverance and determination always pay off. The Natisone Valleys will benefit as a whole, a unique asset that can also be enhanced through high-level sporting events.”
Bini highlighted the region’s long-term investment in tourism promotion, noting growing interest in the Natisone Valleys as a destination for “slow tourism,” which emphasizes outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and local gastronomy. He added that upcoming legislation in the regional tertiary sector framework, expected to be presented to the council in November, will include measures to support the maintenance of hiking trails and cycling routes, as well as incentives for private investment in accommodations along these paths.
The championship, organized by the Machete Team as part of the Natisone Bike Arena project, will feature more than 300 elite riders, including several ranked among the top ten in the world, competing for 26 national titles. The event is expected to attract over a thousand visitors, including technical teams, families, and spectators.
Since its launch in 2010, the Natisone Bike Arena has cultivated a new generation of competitive cyclists and developed diverse trails throughout the valleys. The Italian Cycling Federation has recognized the organizers’ logistical expertise and commitment to athlete safety.
Looking ahead, the project aims to elevate the Natisone Valleys to the international stage, with a World Cup qualifying event planned within two years and a full World Cup stage by 2029. The championship is organized in cooperation with the Municipality of San Pietro al Natisone, the Natisone and Torre Mountain Community, and is supported by the Friuli Venezia Giulia region and the “Io Sono Friuli Venezia Giulia” tourism brand.
“The professionalism demonstrated by the organizers gives us reason to hope that the Natisone Valleys will host increasingly prestigious sporting events in the future,” Bini said. “For now, the organizers deserve congratulations for the growth they have achieved year after year, bringing national championships to our region.”
