Montalcino and outstanding cycling share some history, a history of legendary stages, known here as “tappe”. The Giro d’Italia is an annual multiple-stage professional cycling race first organized in 1909.
The first and one of the most memorable “Giro d’Italia” tappe to pass through Montalcino was in 1987 on May 25th during the 70th edition. Moreno Argentin, the then world champion, crossed the finish line of stage n. 4 (Camaiore-Montalcino) to ecstatic crowds and a Montalcino dressed in pink, the signature color of the race.
The second time was on May 15th 2010, for stage n. 7 (Carrara-Montalcino), a special stage dedicated to Italy’s revered cycling legends, Gino Bartali, a decade after his passing. In the footsteps of the extraordinary exploits of past cycling heroes, the cyclists braved dust, fatigue, and rain along the dirt roads that wind through the vineyards of Brunello. The finish is still the historic center of Montalcino. This time, the last kilometers traversed the rough cobblestone streets, with cycling champion, Cadel Evans, made almost unrecognizable by the water and mud. Just a few days earlier, Andrea and Fausto, the heirs of two champions, Bartali and Coppi, symbolically exchanged water bottles along the route.
The third time promises to be quite a show, not only for the return of the pink caravan but because, once again, the protagonist of stage n. 11 of Giro d’Italian 2021 will be the breathtaking beauty of Montalcino’s white roads. On May 19th, all eyes will be on the “Brunello di Montalcino Wine Stage” for the stage that runs from Perugia to Montalcino: 163 kilometers, 70 running through the vineyard rows and the final 35 on the characteristic white dirt roads.
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