Diving into the green heart of Italy. The Giro-E today starts from Bastia Umbria to arrive in Perugia after less than thirty kilometres and a few climbs, but levelled out by the motors that equip the racing e-bikes of the electric Giro. Bastia (Umbrian only since 1926) owes its name to the imposing military buildings, the walls and the castle with 17 towers. The historic centre is well worth a visit: there is the Benedictine Monastery of Sant’Anna, which preserves the remains of the first imposing construction, the Rocca Baglionesca, built as a fortress and military citadel, strategic due to its position in the middle road between Assisi and Perugia. Then there is the former Church of Sant’Angelo, today the Auditorium Sant’Angelo, an ancient parish church dating back to the year 1000, the oldest religious building in the city. The medieval Porta di Sant’Angelo is also beautiful, brought back to its original splendour by a very recent restoration project. The end of September is a good time to visit, when the Palio de San Michele, the feast of the Patron Saint, is organised: since 1962, it is a challenge between the four districts of the city.
Once there, time is scarce, what with showers, awards ceremonies, hospitality, the arrival of the Giro, and then the return home. Beautiful, intense and fast. So to really see Perugia, you will have to reorganise your visit.
Bastia Umbra – Perugia
As mentioned, from a purely cycling point of view it is not a stage that will remain in the annals: 29.4 kilometres with 450 metres of altitude difference. But the nature and the views are exceptional, and the bike knows how to make sense of it all.
After an off-route stretch of almost eight kilometres, the Giro-E enters the Giro route to complete the rest of the stage. For professionals this is an individual time trial (of 40.6 kilometres), the Giro-E proceeds as a group as always. The difference in altitude is almost all at the end, due to the long climb that leads to the finish line: over six kilometres that gradually rise, even if in some stretches it reaches 16% (thank goodness for motors!).
Cyclist of the day – Lorenza Cerbini and Michela Gorini
Today two passionate cyclists at the Giro-E: the Corriere della Sera journalist, Lorenza Cerbini, and the multiple amateur road cycling medallist, Michela Gorini. Both Tuscan, they love cycling and racing. Michela was a promising cyclist until a bad accident happened. But there is a happy ending, told by Michela to Lorenza before the start.
“It was 1992, ten days before the Barcelona Olympics, where I was an Italian reserve; I had a bad accident that took away all hope of participating. I was competing in Cividale del Friuli, finishing up before the Games. A motorbike fell and I couldn’t dodge it. I was in a coma; I had three surgeries on my leg. I led a normal life for many years afterwards, but the flame of passion for cycling always burned inside me. I underwent experimental operations to fix at least my knee. The day I got back on my bike and rode the first kilometre was the best moment of my life, it was a rebirth. In the meantime, 14 years had passed. I picked it up for fun, I didn’t imagine I could race again, much less be competitive. I started with Gran Fondos and went back to racing, also gaining some satisfaction: two world championships at amateur level, and many Italian championships. They don’t have the same value as real cycling, but in the hearts of those who could no longer dream, they are gems.”
Welcome to the Giro-E, Michela!
City of Sport and Health, an opportunity for young people: in L’Aquila and Bacoli the next ANCI workshops at the Giro d’Italia.
The objective of the workshops is to improve the level of engagement of the young population in the valorisation of cultural, naturalistic, food and wine resources and excellences of the area as drivers of sustainable local development, through the common thread of sport and its values.
It will be a weekend during which important topics will alternate during the work sessions scheduled in the hospitality area of the Giro-E’s Green Fun Village.
In fact, on Saturday 11 May at 12.10 pm, in L’Aquila, Italian Capital of Culture 2026, the topics of Sport, youth and inclusion will be addressed, with a busy work agenda which includes the intervention of the municipal administration and personalities from the world of sport.
On Sunday 12 May at 1.30 pm, in Bacoli, the focus of the discussion will be on the valorisation of resources, training and skills, a cooperative model, with a focus on innovation “for and with” young people between shared administration and sustainable development and the presentation of numerous local experiences.
These appointments take place as part of the broader support and financing program for Italian municipalities under the National Youth Policy Fund, created through agreements with the Italian Department for youth policies and universal civil service of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
In each of the Giro-E stages, the ANCI cycling team mounts the saddle, led by skier Giorgio Rocca and made up, like every day, of local administrators and ambassadors of the area.
For info and registration click here: link
TICKETONE
One of the great innovations of the Giro-E Enel 2024 is that from this year it is possible to purchase tickets for participation in one or more stages of the event.5 places are available per stage: you will cycle with the RCS Sports & Events team. The minimum age is 17 years and a medical certificate is required for non-competitive sports.
Here is the link: Ticketone Giro-E Enel 2024
