The Giro d’Italia celebrates its centenary starting from Sardinia. The first three stages from 5 to 7 May 2017, below all details about the route that goes from Alghero to Gallura until Cagliari, take on even more importance. Why is this a great opportunity to promote the island and its traditions? Read our point of view.
The Giro d’Italia 2017
The most famous Italian cycling race was born in 1909 but celebrates its one hundred years in 2017 because of the suspension during the two World Wars. It starts May 5 and ends May 28 in Milan at Piazza Duomo. To commemorate in the best way this important milestone, the boot is being crossed from north to south including the islands for over 3572 km. Sardinia and Sicily will be both protagonists of this edition, the last with an arrival on Etna climb. The most important stage on May 23 starts from Rovetta and climbs down to Bormio. The finish line in Milan with an individual time trial.
All the itinerary was presented (Giorgia Palmas as godmother) October 25, 2016. In the audience there was Fabio Aru. The star of sardinian cycling, the first regional cyclist who wore the pink shirt and second overall in 2015, will probably be at the starting line, with a special and unique emotion. The centenary is also an opportunity to honour the great champions of the Tour like Coppi and Bartali.
The three stages in Sardinia
The Giro d’Italia is back on the island for the fourth time. The first edition, with only one stage won by Oreste Magni, dates back to 1961. The Sardinians had to wait forty years to review the historic shirt: it was 1991, always with three stages with wins of Bugno and Cipollini, during the 74th edition. Finally 2007 it departed from Caprera to celebrate the bicentenary of Garibaldi’s birth.
The fourth edition 2017 includes three stages:
- 5 May: Alghero – Olbia 203 km
- 6 May: Olbia – Tortolì 208 km
- 7 May: Tortolì – Cagliari 148 km
A sprint start, not ordinary. The first stage, with several rise and fall and 3 GPM, is characterized by a mixed and insidious route. Protagonists of these first 200 km will probably be the sprinters, although the type of the itinerary does not rule out surprises on arrival. The second day it climbs up to Rocca Silana before descending and get to Tortolì. The territories of Barbagia and Ogliastra with all their asperities will not be simple for cyclists. Finally, on May 7 the Giro d’Italia arrives in Cagliari in the plain along the picturesque coast of southeast Sardinia.
The race in Gallura
On May 6, it starts from Alghero. After Multeddu (hamlet of Castelsardo) the Giro d’Italia arrives in Gallura until Olbia: The Contra, Santa Teresa, San Pantaleo. This is the decisive point of the stage, a climb of about 5 km, 3 km around 8% and maximum slopes greater at the beginning. Wavy final up in Olbia for a probably sprint to be conquered. The hundreds of camcorders, cameras and smartphone will record the wonderful locations of Costa Paradiso, Porto Pozzo, Palau and Cannigione.
Sport events such as the Tour of Italy are an international showcase for Sardinia and an occasion of immense value. The circumstances are favourable for tourism and economic development: the race is in spring and can promote the whole next summer season; the route from north to south will show different territories: cities such as Alghero, Olbia and Cagliari but also the turquoise and emerald colors of Gallura, the areas of Nuorese and Ogliastra; the logistics of the race will push hundreds of visitors to move in an itinerant way.
All parties, public and private, have the responsibility to make the most of these three days that will make a lot more than any advertising to promote the culture, the tradition, the food of the Island in a sustainable way. The same one that is shared for forty years by ImmobilSarda that works to promote Gallurese area – Costa Smeralda focusing on the territorial uniqueness.
The initiative Viaggio e Vantaggio, a free stay aimed at those who are interested in the offer IMS, expresses these values because it is designed to make touch the land, live and experience Gallura. The same area that will be crossed by the first stage of the Tour of Italy in 2017.
Do you also think that the Giro d’Italia is a great opportunity for our beautiful island? Share your ideas.