Spanish rider Marc Molist Comas on Supermilenio came up with a steady performance to win yesterday's 120-km Nakheel Cuore Verde Endurance Cup 2005 ride held under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, in Castiglione del Lago, Perugia in Italy.
After the UAE's Sultan Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of Nakheel, led the 50-strong field for most of the four-stage ride, Comas, who was in fourth place before the final stage just maintained that position while the top three riders to finish were eliminated.
Sultan, who was riding Bet Shean finished first in the first loop, slipped to third place after the second loop and again regained the lead in the penultimate stage.
But after that he slowed down and though he finished the 120-km ride, his horse was eliminated.
Earlier Comas, a Spanish national team rider, 1998 World silver medalist Fausto Fiorucci and fellow Italian Valentina De Pra took the top three places after the top two finishers Marcello Conte and Emmanuelle Fondi had to make an exit after their horses got eliminated.
The 120-km three star FEI international ride, sponsored by Nakheel, attracted 51 riders mainly from Italy, Spain, Germany, Norway and two riders from the UAE. Apart from Sultan Bin Sulayem, Mohammad Ali Al Shafar also took part but made an early exit.
The Nakheel Cuore Verde Endurance Cup ride was supported by the Emirates International Endurance Racing.
Results
1. Marc Molist Comas Spain (Supermilenio) 6hrs 21mins 39 secs.
2. Fausto Fiorucci Italy (Harrich Al Sheitan) 6:21.48.
3. Valentina De Pra Italy (Amir Di Pegaso) 6:31.30.
