Cuneo – Return of Fausto Coppi: “We are here with the courage of climbers”
Two years later, the organizers brought the legendary race back to Cuneo, with the idea of ”Tio” Tilde, Amilcare Merlo and Alberto Palocco. Many side events
It took the Fausto Coppi organizers a year to decide on the future. A year in which amateur cycling in Cuneo was still an orphan, as it was in 2020 due to Covid, one of the most beloved and iconic races.
“We came back with the tenacity that characterizes climbing cyclists and the courage that so many of you gave us. But it wasn’t an easy decision to get back on track.” He says David LauroAnd superhero With Emma Manna from Gran Fondo International. The 34th edition of the Granfondo Internazionale La Fausto Coppi Officine Mattio will kick off from Cuneo on Sunday, June 25, at seven. Participants will be able to choose between a 177-kilometre long route with an elevation of more than 4,000 metres, an average elevation of 111 kilometers, and a 2,500-metre hike. The race has the Colle Fauniera as its main climb, at 2481 metres.
To date, there are more than 1,850 members from 25 countries around the world. The most numerous countries, in addition to Italy, are France, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. The furthest cyclists come from the USA. The numbers that confirm this is much more than just a bike race: “We have put together this year’s edition with a series of events for children, nature, families, our land and inclusion: we want Fausto Coppi to become a great sports festival” ASD Vice President Fausto Coppi is on the road Emma Mana. From its idea in particular to three great Cuneo personalities who died last year: Amilcare Merlo, Alberto Palocco and Lorenzo “Teo” Tilde, noble father of cycling events in the province of Granda for many years.
Named after him, the Teobike Balocco for children aged 6 to 12 is one of the absolute novelties of this edition. But there are many activities dedicated to social issues and youth, from Bimbinsella to the Parade of Nations, which will also involve the youth of the La Cascina di San Rocco Castagneretta cooperative. From the point of view of sustainability and the environment, this year the event received a certificate from Legambiente: “This is the second event in Italy that you are getting, after Nove Colli di Cesenatico has unfortunately been postponed due to flooding.” Lauro explains. Among the various related initiatives, Bosco Diffuso in collaboration with Acqua San Bernardo, planted 34 trees corresponding to the number of editions of Granfondo: the first three were planted yesterday, Tuesday 23 May, in Cuneo, Borgo San Dalmazzo and Valderi. Then there is Salviamo le Strade di Montagna, with the solidarity network of the ten-year project to protect elevated roads, in addition to the traditional weekend street cleaning. Furthermore, for each registered Granfondo cyclist, one euro will be donated to the Santa Croce Hospital Foundation in Cuneo, for the purchase of the latest generation PET (positron emission tomography) machines. Nine more partners have joined this project: the aim is to donate at least €28,000.
In the village of La Fausto Coppi Officine Mattio there will also be health workshops in collaboration with Cuore in Mente in collaboration with Hospital Savigliano and Generali Assicurazioni, mini-classes on road safety held by sports journalists Giorgio and Paolo Viberti and in The collaboration with the Specchio dei Tempi Foundation also includes a program The classic “Cuneoinbici”, even two talk shows with free admission will take place on Saturday evening 24 in Piazza Galimberti. The first will be reserved for the organizing committee of the alpine skiing events of the 2024 World Cup between Zermatt and Brill-Cervinia. Guest stars Marta Pacino and Elena Cortone. The second, in collaboration with KARHU, will see the presence of great sports champions and more. Sunday 25 June after the start of the Granfondo race there will also be a Fausto Coppi e-bike in addition to the now traditional Mangia & Pedala. The main media partner of the Cuneo international granfondo will be the newspaper La Stampa while the Confartigianato Cuneo, partner of the event, will follow the final pasta party of the athletes and will be in the village to promote the Cuneo Bike Valley as well as gastronomic specialties of the plain and valleys of the territory.
The official jersey for the Edition 34 is teal
The presentation ceremony at Villa Tornaforte Aragno was an opportunity to unveil to the public the jersey that fans will see this year on the shoulders of many of the race’s entrants. The color chosen is teal, a darker shade of turquoise, the particular shade of blue bordered by a lighter green.
This garment was made by Pisan Parentini Bike Wear. Founded in 1976, a brand that has won many cycling titles, Parentini makes 100% of its clothing by hand in the workshops of Capanne, near Pisa. The shirt has a long zip, short sleeves with raw edges, and three back pockets with all the flags of the countries that have participated in the event so far. According to tradition, it must be worn during gran fondue and will be delivered with the racing package.
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