FIRENZE – It’s 12.40, the Tour de France 2024 begins. It had never happened before that it was the turn of theItaly hosting the ‘grand départ’. In 123 years of Grande Boucle and 111 editions: thanks to the teamwork of Tuscany, Emilia Romagna and Piedmont, who have invested so much, and to the determination of Christian Prudhommethe director.
He wanted to pay homage to those champions known in the tales of epic feats that his father told him, of Coppi and Bartali. Pantani saw him race, the three stages, actually three and a half, because on Tuesday the stage that will take him to France will start from Pinerolo, they are a tribute to those who have made history and have already crossed the border that delivers a place in legend.
Yellow bandanas, with the Tour de France logo
Brushstrokes of yellow everywhere, and already today one of the eight Italians at the start, Alberto Bettiolthe fresh champion of Italy – you know “raise your arms to the sky, Alberto Bettiol” Riccardo Magrini’s catchphrase – will try to leave his mark.
Yellow numbers
On the way 22 teams, of which 18 from the World Tour and four professional. None Italian.
The man to beat is Tadej Pogacarwho is chasing the double signed, for the first time, by Fausto Coppi, in 1949.
Today we run in the name of Gino Bartalitomorrow of ‘Pirate’, Monday, on our streets, of Champion.
But in the Tour climate the territory has already been there for days: a Castellania Coppi there is LaMiticawhich will also affect Tortona, Novi, the white roads.
I am in Alexandria “Yellow Nights” at Valfré and tomorrow it will be Tribute to Pantani at AcdB Museum.
Pay attention to the bans: the closures, on Monday, they were brought forward by 30 minutes
In Alessandria, shop windows inspired by the passage of the Tour (photo Cutuli)
this is a test{“alessandria”:”Alessandria”, “il-piccolo”:”Il Piccolo”, “tortona”:”Tortona”}
