Everyone’s crazy about cycling with the Tour

Uncertain weather but Florence is ready for a week with a bang. It opens today with the celebrations of the patron saint, San Giovanni Battista, and the main evening with the traditional ‘fires’. The sky will also light up yellow in homage to the Tour de France which for the first time in its history will start from Italy. And the Grand Départ (grand departure) is set for Saturday 29 June in Florence. The caravan will parade through the streets of the centre: the institutional start in Piazza Signoria, then crossing Ponte Vecchio it will head towards Ponte a Ema for a tribute to Gino Bartali. Then, in Bagno a Ripoli the official start and the race towards Rimini, the finish line of the stage. But already two days before a small taste with the presentation of the 22 teams: a ride from Palazzo Vecchio to Piazzale Michelangelo. As part of the great ‘yellow’ festival, Florence will host the first edition of ‘Becycle’, the innovative event dedicated to the world of cycling which marks Pitti Immagine’s entry into the world of two wheels, in collaboration with Rouleur. From 26 to 28 June the Leopolda Station will be a meeting point for many personalities and protagonists from the world of two wheels, in a rich program of talks. Among the collateral events, ‘Waiting for the tour’, a free outdoor event organized by France Odeon, in collaboration with the Institut Français Italia and Cinema La Compagnia, as part of the Florentine Summer, dedicated to cycling with screenings, readings, presentations and Italian and international guests, which will liven up Piazza Ognissanti from tomorrow to 28 June, moving on the 29th to Piazzale degli Uffizi in the ‘Apriti Cinema’ arena.