The Tour de France will start this year for the first time in its history from Italy and Bologna, as the arrival city of one of the stages, can’t wait to welcome him.
Le Grand Depart it will be from Florence on Saturday 29 June 2024 with the first stage Florence-Rimini. The next day it’s the turn of Cesenatico-Bologna, to then set off again on the third day from Piacenza towards Turin and finally leave the Bel Paese on the fourth day starting from Pinerolo and crossing the hill into France.
Why does the Tour de France start from Italy?
It is now customary for the big starts of the most famous cycling stage races (the Giro d’Italia also did it and continues to do it) to decide to start from a country other than France.
The reasons are mainly economic and marketing: with its 1.14 billion contacts in 190 countries, 28,000 hours of broadcasting around the world, the race live on 100 TV channels, the return of visibility for a territory crossed is immense. The most important cycling race in the world that passes by your home is a unique and unrepeatable showcase opportunity in terms of tourism promotion.
And why did you cross Italy and these places?
100 years ago for the first time an Italian won the
Big Boucle (Tour nickname): era Ottavio Bottecchia, Friulian bricklayer of that legendary and heroic cycling. To pay homage to our country, the yellow Tour caravan moves to Italy passing through the places of the strongest cyclists that our country has ever produced.
Florence and Tuscany for Bartali And NenciniEmilia-Romagna and Cesenatico for the cycling tradition in this land and for Pantani (last cyclist ever to win the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France in the same year) and finally Piedmont for Coppi.
Where does the Tour de France pass in Emilia-Romagna?
Emilia-Romagna will be the absolute protagonist of this Grand Depart, being touched in all three initial stages: arrival in Rimini (from Florence) in the first stage, Cesenatico-Bologna (via Ravenna, Faenza, Imola) in the second and third departing from Piacenza.
When does the Tour de France come to Bologna?
The Tour de France passes and arrives in Bologna Sunday 30 June 2024. Arrival is expected in the afternoon, approximately between 4pm and 5.30pm, but the times of passage have yet to be released.
Where to see the Tour de France in Bologna?
The route of the second stage will arrive in Bologna: the finish line is expected at Via Irnerio. Here there are 3 passages due to the final circuit that will be covered. If you want to see the winner with arms raised or enjoy the final sprint, this is the right place to seize the moment. In the finish area Square 8 August a giant screen will also be installed to allow you to follow the race and the podium for the awards.
Other highlights of this stage will certainly be the climbs crossed: already from Imola or a Riolo Terme on the iconic Gallisterna climb (already the scene of great cycling feats with the World Championship won by the Frenchman Alaphilippe in 2020), there are many suggestive crossing points, even if being far from the finish line they are unlikely to be decisive for the race.
As we approach Bologna, a nice panoramic point is the short one climb between Botteghino di Zocca and Pianoro (Via Donini), or the tear (2km actually) of Montecalvo it could be a point where a few brave people might try to gain an advantage over the group. Once you enter the city, position yourself along via Mazzini, Via Saragozza or in the traits of Avenues routes to see the race is a great option for a wide view and comfort.
Finally there is the climb to San Lucafamous in cycling as the arrival of the Giro dell’Emilia: here the most enthusiastic fans will gather along the entire portico leading up to the top, given that due to its slopes, this could be the decisive point of the route for the purposes of winning the stage .
Where can I park? How can I find out about road closures and bus diversions?
Traffic information, which roads will be closed and for how long, what diversions the buses will undergo, information on taxis and which car parks will be usable will be communicated closer to the stage. It is predictable to expect closures in the historic center as early as the evening of Saturday 29 June.
