Is it possible to beat the man who has turned Lake Garda into his own backyard? All eyes in the transition area at Villa Carrara Bottagisio are on one name: Michele Sarzilla. The defending champion returns this Saturday, June 13th, for the 41st edition of the International Triathlon Bardolino with a legendary goal in sight: securing his third consecutive victory and his fourth overall title in the race that pioneered Italian triathlon back in 1984.
A 40-Kilometer Leg-Breaker Through the Vineyards
This challenge is not for the faint-hearted. After the 1,500-meter swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Benaco, triathletes will face a bike leg that is pure poison for the quads. The 40-kilometer course through the hinterland of Bardolino, Calmasino, and Cavaion is a relentless leg-breaker where drafting is legal, but few find a place to hide. The steep ramps among the vineyards usually seal the deal before T2, and this year, with a record field of 1,500 athletes from 24 countries, the fight for the lead pack will be a total slugfest from the very first buoy.
In the women’s field, the battle promises to be just as electric. Following Asia Mercatelli’s dominance last year, this edition’s start list suggests a generational showdown. The run course—10 flat but suffocating kilometers along the lakeside promenade and through the historic center—offers no respite. Here, fueled by the cheers of over 5,000 fans, is where bonking becomes a real threat if efforts weren't perfectly managed on the previous hills.
A €15,000 Prize Purse
The organizers have put a €15,000 jackpot on the table to be shared among the top 20 men and women, an incentive that has drawn Olympic-distance specialists from across Europe. There is zero margin for error in the transitions; an extra second fumbling with a wetsuit or lacing up running shoes could mean missing the podium. Bardolino isn’t just Italy’s oldest race; it’s a test of pure endurance where the Garda humidity and the frantic pace of the age groups turn every meter into a battle for sporting survival.