Lucca is preparing to welcome the Giro d’Italia: traveling exhibition, events (and even a taste of ice cream)

A wandering exhibition in the squares, dedicated to the great cycling champions past and present; welcome flowerbeds; an entire district decorated with 2 thousand balloons; pink shop windows and even a new flavor of ice cream created for the occasion.

So the city of Lucca is preparing to welcome – 39 years after the last time, way back in 1985 – the arrival of the stage of the Giro d’Italia. The “pink caravan” will be in the city Wednesday 8 Mayfor the arrival of the fifth stage which will start in the morning from Genoa.

Thursday 9then, the other all-Tuscan stage, starting from Torre del Lago and arriving in Rapolano Terme, in the province of Siena.

In Lucca the organization has already been in motion for some time, complete with the closure of the schools in the municipality and the obligation for all heavy vehicles heading to Garfagnana and Valle del Serchio or Seravezza to pass through the tolls of Capannori and Versilia.

Numerous events were organised in Lucca to greet one of the most important sporting events in the world: Lucca Crea – the municipal body which also organizes the famous Comics & Games festival – has set up an exhibition of paintings by the British artist Karl Kopinski which immortalises the cycling champions of the past and of the present: from Coppi and Bartali to Moser and Pantani, up to the modern Cavendish and Pogacar (the latter, among other things, a great favorite for the final victory of the 2024 Giro).

The original works, until May 12thare exhibited in the church of San Franceschetto, but can also be admired – reproduced – in 12 maxi “marbles” scattered throughout the historic center and in particular in Piazza San Michele, Piazza San Francesco and on the walkway of the Walls, in front of the Antico Caffè (which will reopen, after a long closure, just on the eve of the arrival of the race).

Also in the historic centre, the Municipality has launched the initiative of “pink” shop windows, inviting traders to display a special themed window sticker to greet the event. Piero Pacini, famous ice cream maker known for his creativity, created for the occasion the “Giro d’Italia” taste: white chocolate base which, with the addition of strawberry puree during whipping, becomes pink; finally, strawberry, hazelnut crumble and pistachios to recreate the tricolour.

Expectations are also very high in Borgo Giannotti, a neighborhood on the outskirts that will be crossed by cyclists just before entering the ring roads outside the Walls for the final rush. The traders in the neighborhood have had 2,000 pink balloons made, which will be hung on both sides of the road that runs through it.

Unavoidable disruption to road traffic is expected, with the roads affected by the race being closed from the early hours of the morning: for all information on traffic conditions www.comune.lucca.it