From Biker to UTMB Finisher: Alessandro Rostagno’s Journey to Chamonix
From leaving mountain biking behind to completing 171 km and 10,000 metres of climbing around Mont Blanc in 27 hours and 17 minutes. Team Arduua Frontrunner Alessandro Rostagno turned a dream that started in 2019 into reality at UTMB Chamonix 2026.
A dream that started in 2019
In 2019, Alessandro Rostagno decided to leave mountain biking behind and try something new: mountain running.
The beginning wasn’t easy. Alessandro could barely run for an hour without returning home with painful knees. But while searching for inspiration and information about trail running, he discovered videos from UTMB.
He was immediately fascinated.
He watched some of the strongest trail runners in the world making their way around Mont Blanc — incredibly strong, yet at the same time vulnerable to everything the mountains and the distance could throw at them.
One moment an athlete could feel invincible. A few kilometres later, everything could change.
And that was part of what captured Alessandro’s imagination.
A dream started to grow: one day, he wanted to be there too.
From mountain biker to mountain runner
The journey to Chamonix didn’t happen overnight.
Over the following years, Alessandro gradually transformed himself from a mountain biker into a strong and experienced mountain runner.
There were countless hours of training, races, challenges, lessons and improvements along the way.
Since 2023, Alessandro has been training with Arduua, first with coach Fernando Armisén @fernandoarmisentrailrunning and, for the last two years, with David Garcia @david.garcia.entrenamientos.
Year after year, we have had the pleasure of watching Alessandro develop as an athlete.
He completed UTMB World Series race after race, building the strength, endurance and experience needed for longer and more demanding challenges — and eventually earning his ticket to the race that had inspired him years earlier:
UTMB Chamonix.
UTMB Chamonix 2026 – the dream becomes reality
In 2026, Alessandro finally stood on the starting line.
171 kilometres.
10,000 metres of elevation gain.
One complete journey around Mont Blanc.
The first 40 kilometres were filled with pure joy. Alessandro described the atmosphere as being like the Tour de France, with incredible crowds cheering the runners along the course.
As darkness arrived, the experience changed.
The noise was replaced by the silence of the mountains and the procession of small red lights climbing Col du Bonhomme beneath a full moon.
Then came the inevitable difficult moments.
His hips started causing problems. His left calf began to hurt. His quadriceps were painful despite his conservative approach to the race.
But Alessandro stayed focused and kept moving forward.
After a delayed start caused by thunderstorms, he eventually reached La Flégère in darkness.
Below him were the lights of Chamonix.
The finish line was waiting.
The dream that had started with watching UTMB videos back in 2019 had finally become reality.
An incredible result
🏁 UTMB Chamonix – 171 km / 10,000 D+
⏱️ Finish time: 27h17
🔥 191st overall
An outstanding performance at one of the world’s most iconic trail races.
But for us, Alessandro’s story is about much more than a finishing time or ranking.
It is about what can happen when you allow a big dream to take time.
From mountain biking to trail running.
From struggling with his first runs to racing around Mont Blanc.
From watching UTMB to finishing UTMB.
Huge congratulations, Alessandro! We are incredibly proud to have you as part of Team Arduua and it has been a pleasure watching you grow year after year. ❤️⛰️
The journey continues.
/Katinka Nyberg, Arduua Founder, katinka.nyberg@arduua.com