The Eroica, scheduled for Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October, attracts more and more cyclists from abroad: today, with registrations still open, the statistics reveal that the number of foreign participants continues to grow: “practically 40 per cent of registered foreigners, in Gaiole in Chianti, well away from any boundaries of air, land and sea, means the first, great success of L’Eroica – underlines Giancarlo Brocci, creator of L’Eroica – an event born as a niche and has become quite global in a quarter of a century. All for sharing values that seemed ancient, villagers, the result of nostalgic memories of a child who never grew up. We are proud of it, we have exported an idea, we have demonstrated that if another world is not possible, certainly another way of life is possible.” If in 2021 the members of our house were over 67%, this year they are 60.9%.
From which country do the most participants come? The answer is provided by the second extraction from the excel database; Germany and Austria continue to grow and together they now make up 20% of the cyclists at the start. While waiting for the “holy week of Gaiole in Chianti”, the scenario of the race is being prepared which includes no less than five routes. The countries represented: Italy, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, France, Austria, United States, Belgium, Poland, Netherlands, Poland, Australia, Czech Republic, Canada, Spain, England, Hungary, Sweden, Luxembourg, Ireland, Romania, Slovenia, Denmark, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Brazil, Malta, Norway, Slovakia, Finland, Greece, Cayman Islands, Estonia, Wales, Latvia, Monaco, South Africa, Afghanistan, Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Northern Ireland, Israel , San Marino, Scotland, Israel, Swaziland.
The five routes: the long “l’Eroico” – Saturday 30 September, departure from 4:30 to 6:00 212.5 kilometers for 3887 meters in altitude and 145 kilometers of white roads. A long enchanting walk that finds its charm in the departure at 4:30 in the morning with the night passage to the Brolio Castle through the torchlit avenue, the entrance into Piazza del Campo in Siena with the good morning mist for a long ride that can last up to 15 hours; the medium “Crete Senesi” – Saturday 30 September, departure from 6:00 to 7:00 132.6 kilometers for a difference in altitude of 2235 meters and 72.70 kilometers of white roads. This is the route known for the ascent of Monte Sante Marie which puts a strain on many cyclists, even experienced cyclists. The passage through the medieval Buonconvento, one of the “most beautiful villages in Italy”, is fascinating.
The hundred “Val d’Arbia” – Sunday 1st October, departure from 7:00 to 7:30 106 kilometers for 1793 meters in altitude and 59.40 kilometers of white roads. This is the new Val d’Arbia route that will take cyclists from Leccione to the foot of Brolio Castle in Siena and then descend towards Radi and go up again via Asciano and Castelnuovo Berardenga.
The short “Gallo Nero” – Sunday 1st October, departure from 8:00 to 9:30, 81 kilometers for 1612 meters in altitude and 34 kilometers of white roads. A classic within the reach of many that can be done in just 4 hours. The passage to the dusty Volpaia is fascinating and an obligatory stop in Panzano by Cecchini and at the Lamole restaurant to taste the Ribollita accompanied by a glass of Chianti Classico.
“The Chianti Valley Walk” – Sunday 1 October, from 8:00 to 9:30 46 kilometers for 755 meters in altitude and 20.70 kilometers of white roads. The route is famous for the passage to the Brolio Castle and the visit to the Eroica Caffé and for the gentle descent towards Pianella with the splendid Siena in the background. Don’t forget to take a picture of the Leccione in the Baron Ricasoli estate, also portrayed in the film by Bernardo Bertolucci, “Io ballo da sola”.
Source-www.adnkronos.com