FRANCESCO PUPPI SHINING BRIGHT AGAIN ON THE GOLDEN!

Second in the 2021 GTWS, Francesco Puppi had a difficult start to the season after suffering several elbow injuries. But he proved at Pikes Peak: he is back!

Last year, he won the Golden Trail Series final on El Hierro. There was little between him and victory in the season’s final overall ranking. In the end, Francesco Puppi (Team Nike trail, Italy) finished second in the 2021 GTWS. A result which obviously made him a big favourite for this 2022 season. This didn’t consider the two injuries he sustained on his elbow that kept him off the trails for a large portion this year. But the hard work the Italian put paid off as he just snatched a stunning 4^th place at the Pikes Peak Ascent.

From track to trails

Francesco Puppi maybe one of the oldest athletes in the Golden Trail World Series, 30 years old, but he started running when he was very young. "I was six," he explains, "my parents didn’t really do running as such, but I joined the same athletics club as my cousin. I was doing track and cross-country, but my coach used to take me into the mountains with him. Despite all that I didn’t compete straight away in trail running races and waited till I was 20 to put on a race bib." Francesco quickly realised he was strong in the climbs and his race results made him stand out so much he was invited to join the Italian National Team in 2014. In 2016, he took a fantastic 3^rd place finish at Sierre-Zinal when he was only 24 years old. "The time was also fast," he confides. "2h36! I think that is still one of my best results." He also achieved superb race results on long distance mountain races, especially during the World Championships in Switzerland in 2015, and in Italy in 2017. 

"The Golden makes the races more appealing."

Francesco Puppi discovered the Golden Trail World Series when running Sierre-Zinal in 2018, then in 2019 by participating in several stages. In 2020, he took part in the Golden Trail Championship on the Azores, where he finished 7^th, then he clocked a 2^nd place at the 2021 Golden Trail World Series. "I love the concept of the Golden Trail World Series because it groups together the most beautiful races in the world and the world’s best athletes," he explains. "I would’ve done these races anyway I think, at least once in my lifetime, like Pikes Peak or Sierre-Zinal for example, because these races have a long history and attract top level athletes.  The fact that they are part of the Golden makes them even more appealing. They are put into the spotlight, and they attract even more top-level athletes. The Golden also brings more money and everything that professional athletes need to grow. So, for me it makes sense to participate in this Series."

Two injuries, and back again

At the end of the 2021 season, Francesco Puppi injured his elbow in a bike fall. Due to Covid he couldn’t have immediate surgery and had to wait several weeks before being operated on. "These were obviously not optimal conditions to recover quickly from this injury and I had a hard time dealing with it both physically and mentally," he explains. Nevertheless, he managed to train for Zegama in May but couldn’t do better than 65^th place. "I hadn’t recovered from my injury," he confides, "not physically or mentally." At the end of this race, he fell on his elbow again and needed another operation. "Fortunately, this time it was quicker, and I recovered much faster. I could also do some good cross training, which enabled me to be back on form for Sierre-Zinal." He finished 14^th at this Swiss race. "I’m very critical about my results, I always tell myself I could’ve done better. But with this year’s level, and the time I managed, I think it was a pretty good result." But Francesco’s best result this season so far was at the Pikes Peak Ascent where he finished 4^th. "It was a stacked field, but I also know I’m strong in the uphill. Since I fell on my elbow, I’m more wary in the downhill. But I’m really chuffed about my race!" This result proves one thing for sure: Francesco Puppi is back!