Cagliari, 14 September 2026 – A newcomer from Bergamo took the lion´s share at the 12th Cagliari Urban Trail, the night-time running event organised by GLEsport and held in Cagliari on Saturday evening, 12 September. Matteo Bossetti produced the decisive surge away from his breakaway companions, completing the demanding 10-kilometre course in 38:02.
The 1994-born athlete from Atl. Valli Bergamasche Leffe finished 31 seconds ahead of Urban Trail regular and podium finisher Pierfrancesco Aru of Olympia Villacidro, who this year managed to improve on the result of the athlete who beat him last year. Third place went to Maurizio Cocco of Asd Cagliari Atletica Leggera, 1:19 behind the winner.
Oualid Abdelkader, a four-time winner of the Sardinian Urban Trail, finished fourth, 1:57 behind Bossetti. Riccardo Pilloni claimed another Top 5 finish at the Urban Trail, while one of the pre-race favourites, Stefano Velatta, was forced to withdraw due to injury.
WOMEN: GAMBUZZA AHEAD OF FRONGIA AND PINTOR
In the women’s race, Manuela Jessica Gambuzza joined the expected battle between Federica Frongia and Enrica Pintor at the very last moment. The 1984-born triathlete from Blue Tribune entered the race at the last minute and produced a remarkably solid performance, clocking 44:56.
Her time earned her 22nd place overall in the competitive race, with a 1:50 lead over Frongia, the first F45 finisher, and 2:05 over Pintor (Isolarun).
Completing the women’s Top 5 were Michela Salis (Runcard) and Tuscan athlete Alice Francesca Vocaturo (Gs Orecchiella Garfagnana). Maria Sole Oberti, an athlete with Asd La Recastello and the winner’s partner, finished eighth.
THE WINNERS’ WORDS
A common thread links the two winners: both were newcomers. Neither Bossetti nor Gambuzza had ever taken part in the Urban Trail before.
“It was my first time in Cagliari, and I’m very happy with the experience,” said Bossetti, who works as a sales representative for an outdoor clothing company. “I’d like to thank the whole city of Cagliari, the organisers and also my competitors, who helped me find my way through the most difficult sections of the city.”
Bossetti responded to Aru’s attack shortly after the halfway point, before launching his own counterattack and creating the decisive gap.
Manuela Jessica Gambuzza also had words of praise for her fellow competitors and the organisers:
“It was my first experience at the Urban Trail, on a very tough but extremely enjoyable course. Well done to everyone who manages to complete it. I’m very happy both with the course and with my result. The toughest part? The steps.”
VELATTA: WHAT A SHAME
There had also been considerable anticipation surrounding Stefano Velatta and his potential comeback. Four years ago, the Piedmontese ultramarathon runner had challenged Oualid Abdelkader for the win before a wrong turn cost him valuable time and positions.
This time, Velatta was forced to withdraw while still in the leading group.
“I arrived in Cagliari in good shape,” he explained, “and I felt I had a chance to fight for the win and get my revenge for 2022. I really wanted it. Unfortunately, I sprained my ankle while I was in the leading group. I tried to start running again, but after 500 metres I realised it was impossible to continue. It means I’ll have to try again.”
A COURSE FOR EVERYONE
The Urban Trail is a sporting, cultural and tourism event aimed at people of all ages, from runners to enthusiasts of outdoor sports, who want to take on an urban course while enjoying an evening of fun and socialising.
Organised by GLEsport in the city of Cagliari, the Urban Trail is a format that originated in Lisbon and is now known throughout Europe. The Sardinian event is the only edition held in Italy, under the auspices of UISP Comitato Territoriale di Cagliari APS, with the patronage and financial support of the Municipality of Cagliari.
This year, more than 1,100 participants took part, most of them walkers on the 3.5 km and 7 km courses. A total of 337 competitive runners were included in the final standings: 250 men and 87 women.
EVENT PARTNERS
The Cagliari Urban Trail was supported by Despar Sardegna, Foniù Servizi per la Telefonia ed Energia, Urbanchallenges Sports Events, Special Car Group Cagliari, CHEMU craft beer, Wall Street English school, Radio Sintony, Deriu Sport stores in Quartu Sant’Elena, The Runaway in Cagliari, Otto Cagliari Cocktail Bar, local businesses in Piazza Garibaldi and the surrounding area, the Italian Red Cross – Cagliari Committee, and the Ma-Si-Se Protezione Civile Onlus association from Sinnai.
GLEsport would also like to thank the Italian Army, which was present with its own stand; the Fanfare Band of the 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment; the associations Asd Runwithfriends, Asd Margani K24, Pulsar MTB Sarroch, Società Libertas Selargius, Quelli del Colle, Guardie Ambientali Terra Sarda, Monteponi Iglesias, UTA Protezione Civile Monte Arcosu, Pro Civ Arci Assemini, Nucleo Volontari Carabinieri; the cyclists and runners who served as course leaders, as well as the tail-end marshals; the Cagliari Municipal Police; and all the friends who contributed to the event.
A special thank-you also goes to all the people of Cagliari who, along the entire route – including from the windows of their homes – cheered on, supported and encouraged the athletes, helping to create the special energy that makes a race even more memorable to experience.
TOP 5 | COMPETITIVE RACE
1) Matteo Bossetti (Atl. Valli Bergamasche Leffe) – 38:02
2) Pierfrancesco Aru (Olympia Villacidro) – +31"
3) Maurizio Cocco (Asd Cagliari Atletica Leggera) – +1:19
4) Oualid Abdelkader (Cagliari Marathon Club) – +1:57
5) Riccardo Pilloni (Gruppo Pol Dil Assemini) – +2:32
TOP 5 | WOMEN – COMPETITIVE RACE
1) Manuela Jessica Gambuzza (Blue Tribune) – 44:56
2) Federica Frongia (Asd Cagliari Atletica Leggera) – +1:50
3) Enrica Pintor (Isolarun) – +2:05
4) Michela Salis (Runcard) – +2:27
5) Alice Francesca Vocaturo (Gs Orecchiella Garfagnana) – +3:57
Photos: 1) Matteo Bossetti crosses the finish line to claim victory in Cagliari; 2) Manuela Jessica Gambuzza, a last-minute entrant and winner of the women’s race; 3) Stefano Velatta, one of the pre-race favourites, forced to withdraw after suffering a knee sprain; 4) The start of the 12th edition of the Cagliari Urban Trail; 5) It’s not just about running: large numbers of walkers answered the call for the night-time walk; 6) The men’s podium: from right, Pilloni, Cocco, Bossetti, Aru and Abdelkader; 7) The women’s podium: from right, Vocaturo, Pintor, Gambuzza, Frongia and Salis (Photo credits: Nicola Belillo). Free usage granted with credits. Click on the image to download.
