CUNEO – Cycling: all set for the weekend of La Fausto Coppi
Over 2300 cyclists from 36 countries are expected in Cuneo. Departure 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 tethered hot air balloon flights organised by Generali Insurance in Piazza Galimberti. Starting today at 4 pm, the race pack collection operations will begin. It will be possible to collect your pack until 8 pm and then on Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm and on Sunday from 5.45 am to 6.30 am. Also today at 6 pm, the Teobike will start, which officially kicks off the series of events planned for the weekend. It is a bike ride through the city with children (aged 6 to 12) as the protagonists. Thanks to Balocco Spa, each child will be given a cycling jersey. Before the start, 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 ride through the city. There are many other initiatives linked 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 packed and interesting, with the Bimbinsella initiative at 10am in collaboration with Michelin Spa, Traffic Police and Gs Passatore. At 10.30 the commissioner’s Gravellata will start in the River Park with the former professional cyclist Marco Saligari. At 6.30pm Parade of the Olympics starting from Via Roma, opened by the Fanfare of the Taurinense Alpine Brigade. At 7pm 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 9pm.
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 territory in collaboration with Coldiretti and Fiab Cuneo. The arrival of the first runner of the medium route is expected in Piazza Galimberti at around 10:45 am. The arrival of the first competitor of the long route will take place around 12:55/1 pm. The awards will take place on the stage set up in the square: at 11:30 am for the Mediofondo, at 2:30 pm for the granfondo. The end of the event is set for 5 pm.
We remind you that the granfondo involves the closure of some city streets and the central Piazza Galimberti to the public. Refer to the website www.faustocoppi.net for all updated information in this regard and the prefectural decree.
