CUNEO – Cycling: everything is ready for the La Fausto Coppi weekend
Over 2300 cyclists from 36 countries expected in Cuneo. Departure on Sunday morning, but there is a long weekend full of events and initiatives
The 35th edition of the Granfondo Internazionale La Fausto Coppi Officine Mattio starts this weekend. Two thousand three hundred registered cyclists (registrations now closed), coming from 36 countries around the world. The start as always at 7 am on Sunday 30th, in Piazza Galimberti on the Court side. There are three routes that cyclists can tackle: the Mediofondo of 111 km, altitude difference of 2500 m, the Granfondo of 177 km, altitude difference of 4125 m, and the brand new Fauniera Classic with 101 km and 2180 m of altitude difference. For everyone, the Coppi peak is set on the famous Colle Fauniera, which this year sees the descent towards Demonte neutralized for the first 6.5 km: safety is obviously the primary reason for this decision.
The long cycling weekend, which will see athletes and companions arriving from all over the world, has already begun on Thursday 27 June with the hot air balloon flights organized by Generali insurance companies in Piazza Galimberti. From today at 4pm race package collection operations begin. It will be possible to collect your package until 8pm and then on Saturday from 10am to 7pm and on Sunday from 5.45am to 6.30am. Also today at 6 pm the Teobike will start, officially kicking off the series of events planned for the weekend. It’s a ride in the city with children (aged 6 to 12) as protagonists. Thanks to Balocco Spa, each child will be given a cycling shirt. Before departure, a short entertainment on the topic of road safety with sports journalists Paolo and Giorgio Viberti (Tuttosport / La Stampa). The local police of Cuneo will accompany the group during the tour of the city. There are many other initiatives connected to the event. In this regard, please refer to the website www.faustocoppi.net for all the details and the complete program.
The agenda for Saturday 29 June is particularly busy and interesting, with the Bimbinsella initiative at 10 am in collaboration with Michelin Spa, Polizia Stradale and Gs Passatore. At 10.30 am the Gravellata del commissario will start in the Parco Fluviale with the former professional cyclist Marco Saligari. At 6.30 pm the Olympic Parade starting from Via Roma, opened by the Fanfara della Brigata Alpina Taurinense. At 7 pm the inauguration of La Fausto Coppi in the presence of the authorities and the public, with the lighting of the Olympic brazier. The evening will close with the Tribute to Zucchero Concert starting at 9 pm.
On Sunday 30 June, at 9 am, after the official start of the marathon, there will be the start of the traditional La Fausto Coppi Mangia e Pedala: 50 km to discover the area in collaboration with Coldiretti and Fiab Cuneo. The arrival of the first runner of the medium route is expected in Piazza Galimberti for approximately 10.45 am. The arrival of the first competitor of the long course will take place around 12.55/1pm. The awards will take place on the stage set up in the square: at 11.30 for the Mediofondo, at 2.30 for the granfondo. The end of the event is set for 5pm.
We remind you that the granfondo includes the closure to the public of some city streets and the central Piazza Galimberti. Refer to the website www.faustocoppi.net for all the updated information on this matter and the prefectural decree.
