The helicopter blades, the lookout motorbikes, then the roar of the two-wheeled people who greet the arrival of the runners and the hill “explodes” with joy. Deafening and cathartic moment, collective ecstasy, pure spectacle: welcome to the Tour de France, well found on the wall that mixes the sacred and the profane overlooking Bologna which leads to the Sanctuary of San Luca. The estimate speaks of 100,000 on the streets per il Tour in Bologna.
The Tour de France in Emilia-Romagna: cyclists in Bologna
Where the road steepens, there is the fatigue of the cyclists and that of the spectators who have climbed up ahead of time to enjoy the rides of their favorites and who there, below the longest portico in the world (Unesco heritage), they waited for hours, eating, playing, resting, following the race on smartphones (and the big screen) and above all drinking beer as much as they wanted.
The spectacle of the portico of San Luca
It is pure apotheosis in the “esse” of the Orphanelle, the Pirate curve (so many writings for Pantani!), and then in the very tough following three hundred meters where more than three thousand enthusiasts are crowded together and where the stars of this Big loop they took place: Pogacar part, Vingegaard sticks to him.
On those tears that go from 16 to 20%there is the sum of cycling passions and the fusion of enthusiasts of every nation, of every color, of every flag of every runner, indeed all. A kaleidoscope of peace, all for, none against.
The climb and the longest portico in the world: a unique scenario
If Bologna responded to the charm of Tour with great participation and tens of thousands of spectators along the city streets, to ignite and concentrate the passions of the enthusiasts they are the two Km of San Lucaharsh and scenic, which do not leave a moment’s respite for the runners and dreams for the public.
Ten thousand from Meloncello to the Sanctuary of San Luca
At least ten thousand lined up along the ascent, from Meloncello to the Sanctuary. Young people, old people, teenagers and children, women and girls, many in cycling uniforms and with their bikes leaning against the wall or between the barriers. People perched on trees, signs, cowbells, trumpets, whistles and smartphones for photos and videos.
Foreigners and many Italians from other regions too
Slovenians, Dutch, Germans, Colombians, Welsh, Danish, Spanish, Australians, Americans, the list goes on and on. The Tour is global. And then many Bolognese, many Venetians and many French. Jackeline and Antoine are husband and wife, they took the holidays to follow, stage after stage, the first two weeks of the race. «Bologne magnifique, ces portiques et cette magnifique montée». Comments that are repeated in a thousand other languages. It is no coincidence that the organizers of ASO fell in love with it after having seen it again and again both at the Giro dell’Emilia, as well as at the Giro d’Italia. It is no coincidence that one of the iconic photos of two wheels was taken there, in ’56, with Fiorenzo Magni and the tire gripped between his teeth. The next dream, is to make it a track for a World Championship.
Great support for the two-wheeled big names
Polka dot shirts are plentiful, more than yellow ones. The suffocating heat it is softened by a light breeze and the shade of the porticos. The wait is also tiring (but today there are two passages and so it is even more worth it), but when the runners appear, staggering, at the end, the spectators’ energies flare up in an unimaginable roar: you have to be there, it passes through the body and the heart.
Applause, shouts of encouragementthe concentrated gaze of the first runners. The champions called by name, but also the others. Nothing changes qwhen the latecomers arrive, indeed. Several greet the crowd, smile, and wave back.
Heat, horns and passion: a great party
An exchange of glances that only this sport, popular in its soul, is available and free for all. Street sports. some even stop and give away the water bottle (it happened, yes). And then the din of the flagships, the horns blaring (the one Gasmann played in «Il sorpasso» is always in vogue), even the policemen on motorbikes smile. Running also wins because there is a exciting racing edge, light years away from the belligerent and ignorant hysteria of football. You go up and watch peacefully and do the same going down to the valley, in the city. Everyone hot, tired but happy.
Vauquelin wins and Pogacar wears the yellow jersey
Of course there is also the race, especially sparkling in the second lap when the stage winner, the Frenchman Vauquelinthe Norwegian Abrahamsen took off the polka dot shirt, and after 2′ the “big boys” passed, with Pogacar e Vingegaard who create a void, a lively Evenepoel chasing (and he will make it), the shirt yellow Bardet and Roglic a little late.
The audience remains glued to the spot to cheer on the last and very last: fantastic applause for Jacobsen – Jaco, Jaco!! – who passes after many many minutes.
The finish line along via Irnerio
And then, going down, everyone glued to their smartphones to see what happens in the city, at the finish line in via Irnerio after the downhill nosedive.
Vince Vauquelin with his arms raised, then the best with Pogacar who wins the yellow jersey (on the second day, like at the Giro) and his direct rival Vingegaard in great shape after the serious accident in March.
The first time the Tour started from Italy
As expected, it was a success for everyone. The French organization ASO was impeccable. Trivia: the thousands of French operators away they managed to vote for the important political elections “because we were able to make a delegation and today someone will vote for us”.
Success also for Emilia-Romagna (leader in bringing the Tour to Italy) and Bologna (despite the traffic police strike), immortalized in all its beauty from the helicopter and admired by tens of millions of viewers.
