It will almost certainly not be the decisive point but the Barbotto is a symbolic place of today’s stage. The historic climb of the most historic of the European amateur granfondos, the Nove Colli. The climb that the Giro d’Italia has often included in its route for the joy and efforts of people like Bartali, Coppi, Merckx, Fuente, Gimondi or Moser. There will be many enthusiasts along the 4.8 km from Mercato Saraceno to the summit. It’s difficult to estimate, we’re talking about tens of thousands of people. The road has been closed to traffic since morning. But if necessary, in the event of a large turnout, people on foot could also be stopped.
Cyclists from all over the world
At the top of the tough climb (before gently climbing the Barbottino to go to Perticara) the riders will circle the bar managed by Francesco Mazzoni, the so-called Guardian of the Barbotto. Today is also his birthday. An incredible coincidence for someone who inherited first from his grandparents and then from his parents what was once a simple kiosk and now, in addition to being a bar restaurant, is a kind of sanctuary with photos, memorabilia and other things related to the world of cycling.
For Francesco, these have been days of intense work. “In recent months, there has been a crescendo of interest and phone calls. It would take a book to write everything they’ve asked me.” A grandstand, a big screen, a stage for a show with Justin Mattera and former cyclist Giovanni Visconti with anecdotes and interviews with sports personalities, tents pitched to sleep on the eve of the race, writings dedicated to Marco Pantani. The last kilometer, where the slope is always double digits up to 14%, will be the hottest point.
“I struggle to imagine how many cyclists have passed through this climb in the last week,” Francesco continues. “On Saturday, for example, a group of about a hundred people from all over the world (from the US to the UK) passed through, doing the stages of the Tour up to Nice in 21 days. They stopped to eat at my place with their minibuses in tow. But from the hotels on the Riviera, from Cesenatico to Riccione, there were many organized groups with guides who wanted to try the last climbs of the stage: Barbotto, San Leo, Montemaggio, San Marino…”
A long show on the road
On Wednesday, the Uae group passed by with captain Tadej Pogacar, the latest winner of the Giro d’Italia and two-time winner of the Grande Boucle. The Slovenian champion was about twenty seconds ahead of his teammates. On Thursday, the 47-year-old Australian Cadel Ewans, a former winner of a Tour and a road world championship, was expected (but for fun). Primoz Rogic, another Slovenian champion who won last year’s Giro, has already been on reconnaissance a few months ago.
Those who have the patience to wait under the sun for the riders to pass (bring a hat and water) will be consoled by the passage of the long advertising caravan that precedes the riders. But we also expect the passage of historic bicycles, a group of old cycling glories that should reach the top around 10:30, people who pedal on a single wheel. The stage with music starts at 9… In short, a great party that will have him, the Pirate, among its guests. It is precisely on these roads that Marco Pantani created the foundations for becoming a legend. His presence will accompany today’s cyclists from Florence to Rimini and also in Sunday’s stage that starts from Cesenatico. At the top of Barbotto, before turning towards Perticara, the Tour group will find a large display dedicated to the Pirate with an eight-meter high image. Stuff that will give shivers to even the oldest Tour cyclists. Davide Cassani, president of the Apt, TV commentator, one of the architects of the Tour in Romagna is convinced: «If I had to choose a place to watch the stage pass? I would go to the climb of San Leo because there the race can heat up. But the passage of the Tour on the Barbotto will be an emotion for everyone because it is the most iconic climb in Romagna».
