HAT Sanremo-Sestriere: 11 years of motorcycle adventures on the most beautiful dirt roads between Liguria and Piedmont
The curtain falls on a beautiful one eleventh HAT SANREMO-SESTRIERE, an event that once again met, and often exceeded, the expectations of its own 450 participants, of which about half are arriving from ben 15 nations, a success attested on arrival by their great enthusiasm and that of the various partners of the event.
A long weekend characterized by rather bizarre weather lately: scorching heat at the start in Sanremo, winter temperatures close to zero for the high altitude passages in Susa Valley. Sun, rain and even sleet did not stop the HATters at the start of the three categories / routes Discovery, Classic and Extreme, all focused on conquering the coveted 100% MARATHON Prize, the symbolic - but significant - prize for those who passed all the points control, demonstrating maximum commitment, respect and perseverance in completing one's path.
The beautiful off-road roads along the ridge running south to north along the Maritime Alps / Cozie and Valleys of Savonese and Cuneense, have joined the sea of Sanremo to the 2035 meters of Sestriere, the highest municipality in Italy. The non-stop driving, even at night, has always characterized the event, helping to make the experience unique and unforgettable.
Strong presence of YAMAHA, which saw the debut of the brand new Tenére 700 at an Adventouring event. Exciting for everyone to return to the saddle of one motorcycle with the three tuning forks of the Dakarian Franco Picco -at his first HARDALPITOUR- who, together with the enduro champions Giuseppe Gallino and Alessio Paoli of the Blue Bike Camp (Yamaha's fledgling off-road adventure school), accompanied a large group of customers to the start of the Classic and Discovery riding their own flaming Ténéré.
Several moments to remember for this edition: the HAT Night in Sanremo with the 15 national anthems that involved, as always, the participants of the various countries, the arrival of Franco Picco on stage with the Ténéré, the departure of the Extreme on Friday night in front of the usual and large audience of enthusiasts ready to applaud the one hundred brave departing for a 42-hour non-stop on motorbike, the new stop / refreshment in Cuneo organized at the beautiful Open Baladin with the peaceful invasion of hundreds of motorcycles of the Forum Boarium square, where the participants received the greeting of Nicola Dutto, the passage on Colle dell'Assietta with one of the most spectacular sunrises ever seen, the return to the evocative Gallery of the Saracens, the arrival at high altitude in Sestriere with the beautiful and engaging music of DJ Mashi. And much more that will remain in the memory of all participants!
Among the pilots present, in addition to the already mentioned Peak, Paoli e Chicken, we want to remember the Dakarians Aldo Winkler e Bruno Birbes, English Mark Kinnard -3rd overall at the Gibraltar Race 2019-, Renato Zocchi -1st in class at the Gibraltar Race 2019-, the young man Lorenzo Piolini -winner of the 2019 Rally of Algeria and 8th overall at TransAnatolia 2019- and German Stefan Hessler -4th in class at Hellas Rally-. In a motorcycle world traditionally qualified as male, there were seven representatives of the "fair sex", very enterprising and all at ease on bikes with a fairly demanding weight.
The presence of a fierce squadron of about twenty QOODER of the Quadro Vehicles team, increasingly present at adventouring events.
The routes and the general organization were perfectly managed by the qualified staff of Over 2000 riders, made up of over 50 people prepared, attentive and always ready to provide maximum support during the three days of the event.
Thanks to the partners who animated the HAT VILLAGE with their presence: YAMAHA MOTOR (motorcycle), ANLAS (tires), LS2 HELMETS (helmets), T.UR (clothing), GARMIN (navigators), KLIM (clothing), ENDURISTAN (accessories), MBE (trade fair), TCX (stivali) is PLOTTERFILMS (transfer films).
Great success also for HANDLE, which has depopulated in Sanremo and Sestriere with its "two wheels" themed t-shirts made in collaboration with people in detention in the Novara prison, on sale for charity: the name and logo unite, with a special irony, the passion for motorcycling to the difficult prison condition.
Special thanks go to the Bodies and Associations that authorized the event to take place: Regions of Liguria and Piedmont, Provinces of Imperia and Savona, Municipalities of Sanremo, Cuneo and Sestriere, Sanremo ON, ATL Cuneo, Turismo Torino e Provincia, Consorzio Forestale Upper Susa Valley and Via Lattea Tourist Consortium.
We also remind you that the HARDALPITOUR is an official event of the AICS Adventouring calendar.
Finally, a huge thank you from the organizers goes to all the participants who once again believed in the originality and exclusivity of the now legendary HARDALPITOUR HAT SANREMO – SESTRIERE. An event capable of renewing itself every year, without however upsetting its history and traditions.
Photo Credits Massimo from Trapani
