Cesenatico is preparing more and more for the arrival of the Tour de France stage and does so not only by decorating the city but also with two special events. On Wednesday evening at 9pm at the Maritime Museum, Beppe Conti will present his latest book “Il Giallo del Tour” with free entry. Triumphs and tragedies, historical exploits, behind the scenes, secrets, mysteries and misdeeds of the legendary protagonists of the Tour de France, the most important race in the world, from 1903 to the present day. The first winner was from Valle d’Aosta, Maurice Garin, a chimney sweep who renounced Italy for France. A century ago the first Italian winner, Ottavio Bottecchia, in 1924 and ’25. Then in ’27 his mysterious death on the roads of Friuli. The Tour became legendary in 1930 when the organizers created national teams, a formula that celebrated the exploits and triumphs of Coppi and Bartali in the tricolor jersey directed by Alfredo Binda. Fascism prevented Bartali from winning in ’37. The truth about the phone call to Bartali in the days of the attack on Togliatti in July 1948. The true story of the passage of the water bottle between Gino and Fausto. The mysteries and mystery of our national team’s retreat in 1950 while it was dominating the field. Nencini’s feat and Rivière’s tragedy ended up in the ravine to follow the Tuscan champion downhill. The incandescent duels between Anquetil and Poulidor, Simpson’s death on the Ventoux, Gimondi’s unexpected and magical triumph. Merckx’s crazy exploits and our defeats. The irresistible Hinault, Chiappucci and Bugno beaten by Indurain, strangely favored by the long time trials. The tragedy of Casartelli coming down from the Pyrenees. The legend of Pantani, who saved the Tour from doping intrigues, the last champion to win first the Giro and then the French stage race in the same summer. Armstrong’s frauds, the arrival of the British. Our last great triumph with Vincenzo Nibali, up until the duels between Pogacar and Vingegaard.
Friday 21st “the yellow night”
Friday 21 June at 9pm in Piazza Andrea Costa “La Notte Gialla” is scheduled, hosted by Davide De Zan with great guests: Jan Ulrich, Marco’s historic rival and great champion, will take the stage together with Mario Cipollini and Vincenzo Nibali via video link . The entire Mercatone Uno team that won the Tour de France will also be present on stage. It will be a great moment of story, emotion and memory of how the same square welcomed Marco as king of world sport after the historic Giro and Tour double in 1998. The evening will transform Piazza Andrea Costa into an explosion of yellow, the iconic color of Tour de France, through a variety show and the setting up of scenographic elements of great visual impact. The most significant archive images, broadcast on the stage’s video wall, of his cycling exploits will also be projected, including the images of the 1998 Giro D’Italia in Montecampione and the legendary Lex Deux Alpes stage at the 1998 Tour de France. In addition to the testimonies, extensive space will be given to shows and entertainment with the music of Matthew Lee, Francesco Baccini and Claudio Lauretta and the unique friendliness of Maria Pia Timo.
