Giro d’Italia

The Giro d’Italia is a big event in Italy. There was great excitement in Bagni di Lucca today…the race came right through our villages.

My balcony provided an excellent vantage point to watch it all unfold. Our little piazza at Ponte a Serraglio was packed with people waving flags and waiting for the cyclists to appear.

Sponsors’ cars sped through first.

The first bikes appeared after endless official vehicles.

The crowds were waiting to cheer them on.

A little while later the bigger group of cyclists appeared along the river.

Here are some photos from the bar, thanks to Belinda.

A helicopter flew overhead to follow the proceedings.

More official vehicles brought up the rear.

…and it was all over. The whole event went through Ponte a Serraglio in a matter of minutes, but it was great fun and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

Go to Bagni di Lucca and Beyond for a bit more on the race.

Roads are being resurfaced all over Italy, including Bagni di Lucca.

…the reason? Giro d’Italia is about to happen. The 98th running of the road race will begin in San Lorenzo al Mare on May 9th and conclude in Milan on June 1st.

Most importantly, on May 13th the race will come through Bagni di Lucca on its way from La Spezia to Abetone, and it will go right past my balcony in Ponte a Serraglio.

Whether it will match the excitement of the race between Mao and Collodi is a matter for discussion.

Click here for more on this exciting sporting event.

A few days later the cars in the Mille Miglia will go by in the afternoon ( at 16.31 according to the programme) of 16th May on their way from Rome to Parma, on the third day of the race.

The magnificent Mille Miglia began in 1927. Beautiful old cars follow a beautiful route through Italy. I saw some of the cars in Florence a few years ago.

Just as well we had the balcony upgraded last year, there may be a few people gathered there soon.

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: Giro d’Italia

Road work for a reason