What is the GT3 Lavaredo Gravel Cross Triathlon? A “wild triathlon”!
Talking to Fabio D’Annunzio feels like entering a world where triathlon is more than a sport—it’s a way of life. And when the topic shifts to the GT3 Lavaredo Gravel Cross Triathlon, his eyes light up.
“This,” he says, “is where triathlon goes wild again. It becomes essential. It becomes yours.”
This interview is a story for you—the curious triathlon athlete, the passionate competitor, or simply someone in love with the mountains. It’s a journey into a triathlon event that’s already reshaping the meaning of cross triathlon in Italy.
Triathlon and cross triathlon: brothers, but with different souls
“They’re siblings,” Fabio explains. “But one grew up on asphalt, the other among roots and rocks.”
Classic triathlon is geometric, clean, linear. Off road triathlon, on the other hand, is instinct, technique, nature. It’s a different rhythm.
And you feel it: the crunch of tires on gravel, the whisper of pine needles, your breath blending with the scent of damp earth. It’s a multisensory experience that gets under your skin.
The bike: the real game-changer
“A triathlete has always had two bikes,” Fabio says. “A road bike for the season, a mountain bike (MTB) for winter. In cross triathlon, MTB has long been the queen. But now gravel is changing everything.”
The difference?
- MTB demands technical handling, terrain reading, and control.
- Gravel rides like a road bike—smoother, faster, more intuitive.
GT3 Lavaredo is one of the first FITRI triathlon events where you can truly choose: gravel or MTB. That’s revolutionary. It opens the door to a new way of experiencing gravel bike triathlon.
“The GT3 Lavaredo course isn’t extremely technical,” Fabio adds. “It’s designed for gravel bikes. But if you’re unsure, MTB remains a wise choice. In cross triathlon, your bike can define your race.”
The run: it’s not just running, it’s trail
In classic triathlon, running means asphalt, rhythm, metronome. In cross country triathlon, it’s a whole different story.
“You run on dirt trails, often uphill. It’s more physical, more real. You have to watch your footing, feel the terrain. You’re immersed in nature.”
Here, triathlon becomes a dialogue with the environment. You don’t just pass through it—you’re part of it.
Triathlon distances: sprint, olympic, middle, long… but one transition zone
Fabio reminds us: “In triathlon, there’s always one transition zone. It’s the race’s heart. You enter, do everything, and exit. Every move is regulated.”
But GT3 Lavaredo Gravel Cross Triathlon breaks the mold.
GT3 Lavaredo: a point-to-point race with two transition zones
“It’s a linear race, not a loop,” Fabio explains. “Two transition zones, both managed by the organizers. That’s rare in Veneto’s triathlon competitions, and in Italian cross triathlon overall. It’s harder to organize, sure. But it offers an unforgettable experience. You start in one place, finish in another. It’s a journey. And the Dolomites are with you the whole way.”
Here, triathlon becomes story, movement, transformation.
Training for cross triathlon: strength, technique, presence
“Training changes,” Fabio says. “In cross triathlon, you need to develop handling skills, strength, and the ability to tackle uneven climbs. The bike is the hardest part—and it can affect your result.”
For first-timers?
- Work on bike handling
- Train uphill strength
- Use trail shoes
- Choose your bike based on confidence, not trends
- Test the terrain—feel it, learn it
“The top triathlon athletes know what to do. But the amateur who chooses GT3 out of curiosity or love for the mountains needs to understand: here, nature isn’t a backdrop—it’s the main character.”
Gravel or MTB? your choice says who you are
Fabio is clear: “Gravel is an emerging discipline. It’s about technique, but also market trends. GT3 Lavaredo is designed especially for gravel bikes.”
Still, he adds: “If you’re afraid of technical sections, go with MTB. No shame—just the desire to finish.”
GT3, the first official FITRI event open to gravel bikes, could spark a new wave of gravel cross triathlon events.
Why you should be there
Because GT3 Lavaredo is an invitation:
- To leave the asphalt
- To get your hands dirty
- To feel the mountain
- To discover what it really means to do triathlon on a gravel bike
Fabio sums it up: “GT3 Lavaredo is a return to the roots. It’s triathlon, but with more soul. And when you cross the finish line, you’re not just a finisher. You’re someone who’s crossed a place. And that place stays with you.”
