Stage 3
Novara > Fossano
In Novara
It will be a long day. And certainly not because of the distance covered by the stage (166 km), nor because of its difficulty, since the only scheduled KOM is a rather simple fourth category. The third stage of the Giro winds its way through the lands that are the cradle of some of the cornerstones of the country's cuisine, from rice to white truffles, from sweets to hazelnuts, from gorgonzola cheese to fassona beef. All accompanied by the renowned wines of the Langhe and Roero. Tasty stops will be inevitable. And numerous.But let's go in order. The Giro landed in Novara a month ago and is colouring the city with exciting events.
The project for Piazza Martiri della Libertà, the starting venue for the stage, includes the night-time projection of a storytelling through images on Palazzo Orelli. To be a champion, you have to start with the basics of sport, and this is how we tell the story: the great champions of the past flanked by the young cyclists of the Velo Club Novarese, the champions of tomorrow!
The surroundings
The Coccia Theatre is decorated in the colours of the Italian flag and, on its sides, there will be images of two essential moments of the competition: a start with the athletes lined up and a finish with a victory by Marco Pantani. The image of Coppi and Bartali, symbols of sporting competition, friendship and respect, will also stand out on the facade of the Castle.
The peloton will set off along the extensive rice fields that characterise this part of Piedmont. Vercelli invites you to an occasional stop with its piazzas (first and foremost Piazza Cavour and the one at the foot of the Broletto), but the road beckons, and we must continue until we reach and cross the Po and enter Monferrato. The famous Monferrato vineyards cover the slopes around the road and, in their company, we reach Masio Abazia and shortly afterwards Mombercelli, where we can stop at the interesting Museo Storico della Vite e del Vino (Historical Museum of Vine and Wine), without forgetting that we have now entered the land of truffles, which we cross as far as Alba, which has made the delicious tuber its best-known symbol. The town, however, has much more to put on the table; it is no coincidence that it is also the ideal centre of the lively Confectionery District, and it is here that the most delicious products of the Langhe can be found. In Cherasco, we are enchanted by the Museum of Magic and the massive Visconti Castle. The end of the day is approaching.
Fossano
Fossano is dominated by the 14th-century Castle of the Princes of Acajal but is appreciated for the medieval atmosphere of its historic centre, where some remarkable examples of Piedmontese Baroque can be found: the Cathedral of San Giovenale, the Hospital and Church of the Holy Trinity complex, the Church of San Filippo Neri and the Old Church of the Willow. For the end-of-day toast, choose from Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Arneis and Favorita. All with the DOCG label.
