Denis Lynch scores victory in the opening competition
The opening competition of the CSIO5* Rome Piazza di Siena – Master d'Inzeo 2026 has kicked off with the Irish national anthem this morning.
Denis Lynch won the Safe Riding prize (class with a winning round of 1.45 metres with a prize fund of €29,000) with a clear round in a time of 39.27 seconds riding Conterno-Blue PS, defeating a starting field of 53.
The Irish rider was lightning-fast in the winning round (the second round reserved for the top ten competitors after the first round), pipping Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa, one of the most eagerly awaited riders, by a fraction of a second. Riding Giorgio d'Ellipse, Pessoa clocked a time of 39.27 seconds.
Lynch, who already had four victories at Piazza di Siena, including two Rome Grand Prix (in 2008 and 2022) and a Nations Cup (in 2023), made his intentions clear ahead of the major events this morning: "It was a good course for an opening round, and it’s always a pleasure to come to Piazza di Siena. The fact that I’ve been a regular here for at least twenty years proves it... This year, our mind is set on the Nations Cup, as we didn't have a team last year. It’s always great to compete for your country, and that’s why we’re here. Anything extra is obviously welcome.”
Behind Lynch and Pessoa, two Italian riders finished in the top three: Lorenzo De Luca and Golden du Breuil took third place (0; 39.61), while Francesca Ciriesi and Cash Royal 4, silver medallists at the 2026 Italian Championships, took fourth place (0; 40.44).
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Class n. 1 - Safe Riding
ph.: SeS / F.Mezzelani
