The Giro della Toscana is a classic cycling competition that was rst held in 1923. Its list of winners includes legendary riders such as Costante Girardengo, Learco Guerra and Alfredo Binda, champions born at the turn of the twentieth century and winners of the Giro d’Italia as well as international competitions at a time when just taking part in a sporting event abroad was an adventure. It would take a generation, however, for the all-time wins record to be established by the modest, erce and gracious champion Gino Bartali. He won the Giro di Toscana ve times on the same roads on which he trained endlessly, outclassing even Fausto Coppi, himself a winner of one edition.

In this issue of Tuscany Cycling Season, we look back on, and bring to life, some of the most vital and interesting moments from Bartali’s life – the hills surrounding Florence that legend has him conquering riding with no hands, his greatest victories and his civic commitment during the war. e legend of Gino Bartali is the inspiration for l’Eroica , the event pro led in the rst article and ever present in the hearts of the “heroic” thou- sands who love to share the beauty of fatigue on the rolling white roads of Tuscany.

Then we move to beauty hidden just around the corner, easy to reach yet intimate and secluded. Beyond the competition itself of the Giro di Toscana lies the idea of a “grand tour” along splendid routes that lead past villages, churches and farmhouses amidst landscapes, forests and places recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Meanwhile, secondary routes like country roads, ancient streets, mountain ridges or trails through the Mediter- ranean scrub seduce riders o the beaten path. e sense of joy comes not only from the beauty, but also from travelling by bicy- cle through this in nite horizon of possibilities.

SEASON 2017/18
ISSUE
02