Italyโ€™s Emanuele Gaudiano wins Longines Speed Challenge of Paris and series bonus

The amazing pair of Emanuele Gaudiano and Carlotta 232 boasts a fabulous total of sixty-plus international wins over the past five years, twelve of which came in 2019. They confirmed their status when they won the much-acclaimed 2019 Speed Challenge of Paris in a super time of 60.48 without a single pole down: a repeat for the winners of the same flagship competition during the Longines Masters of Lausanne, Switzerland, this summer. โ€œIโ€™m extremely lucky to ride such an amazing mare. Each round with her is a pleasure โ€“ even more so at a show like this one where the stands are packed,โ€ Gaudiano commented.

The Paris crowd were held spellbound throughout the aptly-named Longines Speed Challenge, the fastest class in the world. The spectators who supported each rider unreservedly were treated to the most spectacular show, where one pole down is worth 2 seconds extra time which contributes to increased speed and added suspense.

However, a clear round was definitely a bonus to score the best time to win the class. A goal reached among others by world #1 Steve Guerdat (Switzerland). Number 13 out of 27 to go, the 2012 Olympic champion set a very fast pace in 61โ€™โ€™98 aboard Ulysse des Foreฬ‚ts. โ€œI rode according to my plan and mostly took advantage of my mareโ€™s natural speed without pushing much,โ€ the rider commented. Enough to win? โ€œI think itโ€™s possible to be faster. If I finish in the top five, or even on the podium, itโ€™ll be a good thing.โ€ He ended up a very creditable third behind Emanuele Gaudiano and his long- standing friend, Canadaโ€™s Eric Lamaze. Riding top mare Fine Lady 5, the 2008 Olympic champion also put down a top performance thanks to a time of 61.37 seconds at the very end of the class. A lesson in riding and courage was greeted by all.

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