Thousands of fans on the Barbotto, a magnificent spectacle seen worldwide with the symbolic climb of the Nove Colli which embraced the Tour de France. Shortly after 4pm, the aces of the Grande Boucle tackled the challenging climb known to cyclists all over the world, surrounded by a fairytale setting, worthy of a day of great sport. An absolutely magical atmosphere on a memorable Saturday: an absolute level of cycling that no one will forget.
Applause for everyone
The people of Romagna applauded everyone, even a late and clearly struggling Mark Cavendish.
The people of Romagna gathered on the roadside, with a myriad of graffiti on the asphalt dedicated to Marco Pantani. Among the many there is the Cesena midfielder Tommaso Berti together with his lifelong friends and above all there is the people’s tribute to the Pirate of Cesenatico: “This is Pantani’s fountain, he always stopped here when he trained.”
“Justice for Marco”
Pirate fans dominate the scene, with banners in his honour are calling for justice after his tragic disappearance in 2004.
The enthusiasm along the Barbotto is palpable, with the festive assault on gadgets.
On the road leading to the pass there are already hundreds of people waiting for the caravan and cyclists to pass. They are practically all wearing yellow or non-yellow shirts or hats the banner of the Pantani Magic Club of Cesenatico goes unnoticed. At the top of Barbotto the speakers have been in action since early morning to entertain the public, while hundreds of local cyclists are climbing one of the most famous climbs in Romagna.
Loud music
Big screen and “loud music” to entertain the public in a great cycling happening, with enthusiasts from all over the world gathered on the Barbotto.
An engaging and unique atmosphere, just as expected.
Grandstand and big screen
At the top of the tough climb (before gently climbing the Barbottino to go to Perticara) the runners will circle the bar run 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 they were 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 asked me.” A grandstand, a big screen, a stage for a show with Justin Mattera and the former cyclist Giovanni Visconti with anecdotes and interviews with sports figures, tents pitched to sleep on the night before, writings dedicated to Marco Pantani. The last kilometer, where the gradient is always in double digits up to 14%, will be the hottest point.
«I find it hard to imagine how many cyclists have passed on this climb in the last week», says Francesco again. «On Saturday, for example, a group made up of around a hundred people from all over the world (from the USA to the United Kingdom) passed through 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 coast, 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…».
