The Tour de France 2024 will leave from Italy (Ansa photo in the opening), for that which It won't be the classic Grand Depart from abroad, but a real foray into the history of a country which, from a cycling perspective, has nothing to envy of France and which will still have before its eyes the magic of the Giro d'Italia of a few weeks earlier.
«One hundred and twenty years without Italy – said Christian Prudhomme – You don't come here without taking advantage of your history and your territoryThe aim is to make a different Tour, which will leave its mark and will be run shortly before the Paris Olympics and that for this reason will end in Nice. It will be different thanks to you, that in your hearts you have this romantic cycling that we also like so much."
The Tour of the Giants
The 2024 Tour de France, which will start from Florence and on the first day will cross the Apennines to arrive in Cesenatico, will fill its belly with the history of giants like Gino Bartali, Gastone Nencini and Marco Pantani. And when he leaves again the next day for Bologna, he will cross the streets of Vittorio Adorni and Ercole Baldini. Before going further, going towards Piedmont on the third day, in the silent and magical districts that saw the talent of Fausto Coppi blossom. France has had great champions, but the Tour won't come here to showcase the wonders of cycling, because we already know them. And yet, we can bet on it. knowing their way of working, who will be able to make them even more splendid.
«The Tour waited too long – Prudhomme continues – Italy is the cradle of romantic cycling, home of immense champions and attackers that fans loveA country of immense beauty. Emilia Romagna had already saved the World Cup in 2020, allowing a Frenchman, Julian Alaphilippe, to become world championThe routes will be very interesting and evocative. Every day the roads will feature elements of the World Heritage and the legend of your great champions."
Between Cassani and Bonaccini
Behind all this, a great job behind the scenes, born from an exchange of words between Davide Cassani and Bonaccini, the president of Emilia Romagna.
«We had just left the Giro – Davide recalls – when The president asked me: “And now? What can we do?” I told him that the Tour could be held. and he asked me if he had ever left Italy. Obviously He knew full well that it had never happened before and so we started working on itFirst thinking of Emilia. Then Tuscany. Then Tuscany and Emilia and even Piedmont. There was a great team game between regions that have identified cycling as an excellent promotional vehicle for tourismIt took us a while, but we finally got there."
From east to west
The first stage will be anything but easy. "The first departure from Italy," says Prudhomme, "will be from one of Italy's most beautiful regions, Tuscany, with a stage that will cross Italy from east to west. A difficult start. A legendary cycling route.I want to thank infinitely those who made this magic possible. In France, we are sometimes asked why the Tour de France starts abroad, but starting June 29, 2024, no one will ask themselves that question anymoreBecause they will see the passion of the Italians and the beauty of the routes."
A real stage
And the first stage itself is a cause for reflection for Cassani himself. "A real stage," he says, "with real climbs and almost 4.000 meters of altitude differenceThe Barbotto and Perticara, which are very hard and then the next day the double climb of San LucaWhen the cities were identified, we proposed what we would like to do. We said there were various solutions from departure to arrival, then it was up to them to decide. But Prudhomme knows the history of cycling and the beautiful thing is thisWith three days of racing, we will highlight the territories and pay homage to champions the world envies us."
The first two stages will be presented tomorrow in Bologna, On December 23rd in Turin we will talk about the Piedmontese hamletsThen it will be time to dive into the Christmas holidays, nursing the thought of what will be the first Grand Departe on Italian soil. An event destined to make history.
