it's the perfect opportunity to celebrate the city's cycling hero: two-time Tour de France winner Piazzale Michelangelo, nicknamed "the balcony of Florence" for its expansive views over the Tuscan capital from its vantage point just over the Arno river, will take centre stage at the Tour de France’s Grand Depart on 29 June This is where teams of elite cyclists will be presented to masses of fans before the official race departure from Piazza della Signoria in the historic city centre This is the Tour’s first departure from Italy, and locals simply cannot wait. For bicycle-mad Italy, having just hosted the Giro d’Italia "I am incredibly excited about the Grand Departure in Florence and believe that the Tour de France could only start from here and from the beauty of Tuscany a true land of cycling," said Silvia Livoni cycle tourism consultant for Tuscany’s tourism agency And for Florence, it's the perfect opportunity to celebrate their own cycling hero, three-time Giro d’Italia and two-time Tour de France winner, Gino Bartali, who is also being officially honoured as part of the Tour's promotion Bartali grew up to become one of the greatest cyclists in history Bartali cycled up to Piazzale Michelangelo with his brother Giulio to admire the beautiful domes of Florence he would be remembered not only as one of the best When he passed in 2000, the Guardian described him as the "icon of Italian cycle racing" and focused their obituary on his cycling prowess and achievements was the secret life Bartali lived during World War Two when he risked his own safety to save the lives of persecuted Jews and dissident refugees as part of a religious underground network Bartali cycled thousands of kilometres couriering fake identity documents covertly printed by an underground movement led by his friend Archbishop of Florence Cardinal Dalla Costa They were being delivered to Jewish and other political refugees to help them escape Nazi-controlled northern Italy Donning his race jersey with his name printed across the back and leaving home with only emergency tools for the bike he rode thousands of miles from Florence to Genoa and Assisi carrying this precious cargo he is credited for saving the lives of more than 500 people his status as a champion cyclist was the ultimate disguise he would simply say "I am training" Bartali was fighting the regime that had initially used his cycling for politics His win at the Tour de France in 1938 was used as propaganda by Italy’s fascist regime to "prove" the might of the Italian race and his bicycle became his defiant weapon against a government he did not support – especially when Italy introduced a racial policy that year to exclude Jews from schooling and employment When Italian dictator Benito Mussolini praised him for winning the race dedicating his win to the Catholic church instead Italy’s fascist regime allied with Nazi Germany and began to implement the arrest of Jews in Italy The partisan rebels were particularly strong in Tuscany because the region was on the edge of where Allies were advancing from the south and the Germans from the north Like many Tuscans who opposed the racial ideal policy Tuscany is a great region for cycling whether following the challenges of the Tour de France route or for a simple pleasure ride around the gorgeous countryside Try these four trail ideas to get a glimpse into Bartali's world:  Florence to Ponte a Ema: It's a short 8km ride along the river and through country roads to Bartali’s hometown where you can visit the museum and enjoy the quieter side of Florence along the way 2. Challenge Tour de France: Follow this year’s Tour and take the challenging first climb to Valico Tre Faggi on the border of Emilia-Romagna Start from Dicomano by car or train to avoid the traffic coming out of Florence 3. Ciclopista del Trammino: The Trammino cycle path begins at Pisa and follows an old railway line all the way to the sea An easy and enjoyable day trip suitable for all cycling abilities 4. Volcanic mountain biking: One of Tuscany's dormant volcanoes, Monte Amiata, has a fantastic network of mountain bike trails including the opportunity to relax at a natural hot spring at the end of the day Travellers can see proof of this at Terontola Train station where there's a plaque dedicated to Bartali Bartali's champion status allowed him to work with partisans to create a paparazzi scenario that distracted soldiers and guards away from the train carriages so refugees could board and hide until the train reached the free south he kept this life a secret for most of his life after the war Bartali believed that by talking up his good deeds he betrayed the people he had helped as it became an act of self-promotion rather than genuine intentions "He never told anyone besides me, making me swear not to tell anyone," Gino’s son, Andrea, recalled in the 2014 film My Italian Secret a documentary about the brave acts of unsung heroes during the war was the first person Bartali told of what exactly happened during the war recalling his father's words: "I want to be remembered for my sporting achievements Maurizio Bresci, president of the Gino Bartali Cycling Museum first mentioning the idea of opening a museum in Bartali's honour in 1986 Gino didn’t agree with the idea," Maurizio told me The idea was well received at the time by Bartali's friends and family but it still took a while to convince the great cyclist but it must be a cycling museum for all the cyclists • Is Italy breaking up with you? • The Cuban building the world’s tallest bike • The stunning Tuscan town even Italians don't know The museum opened in 2006 in Ponte a Ema with exhibits including newspaper clippings photographs and the 1948 Tour de France trophy which Bartali himself donated to the museum Maurizio took over the museum’s presidency and continued his father’s work of preserving Bartali's story Bartali's story will get a moment in the international spotlight when the grand prix of cycling races through Ponte a Ema on 29 June Bartali is the iron cyclist who won the race twice The gap of 10 years between his victories is a record that no one else has achieved I believe that the Grand Depart from Florence is significant not only for Florentines but for all Tuscans and Italians and for the whole world - Silvia LivioniIt should be an exciting time for the museum the Tour is not promoting Bartali's life-saving work it is clear that Tuscany is hugely proud of the champion and locals hope that tourists will pause to learn how Bartali's selfless actions changed the lives of so many "I believe that the Grand Depart from Florence is significant not only for Florentines but for all Tuscans and Italians and for the whole world," said Livoni "And it is rightful to dedicate this to Bartali to tell his story today in order to make people understand his human depth I hope his story inspires people to stand up for what they believe in If you liked this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked selection of features For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. 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At the end of the evening a big surprise, which moved and made Maurizio Bresci, president of the Association of Friends of the Gino Bartali Museum, very happy. The Sacchi family donated to the Cycling Museum la gold medal won by Enzo in the speed on the track at Helsinki Olympics in 1952. "With these evenings – Pasquini underlined – the Bartali Museum is returning to the centre of attention in the history of cycling". helped save the lives of Jewish refugees during WWII by ferrying documents hidden in his bicycle and by sheltering a Jewish family in an apartment he owned commemorated Bartali during the 100th anniversary of the Giro d'Italia with a special ride tracing his war-time document smuggling routes "My father used to say "Good is something you do not something you talk about," said Luigi Bartali and Luigi was speaking in the Palazzo Vecchio the grand town hall of Florence overlooking the piazza with Michelangelo's famous statue of David Israeli's new professional cycling team I was there because I had written a book chronicling Bartali's life as a sportsman and secret World II hero Luigi was speaking to us that night in advance of a special bike ride planned for the next day that would trace the route Bartali took between Florence and Assisi during World War II ferrying documents to Jews hiding from the Nazis and Fascists Florence and all of Italy were abuzz in May as the country celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Giro d'Italia Towns and cities were enveloped in pink – the color of the winner's jersey People waved pink flags and hundreds of pink umbrellas were strung like chains of lanterns between trees salmon and so many more shades of pink – were found everywhere Several stages celebrated cycling legends like Gino Bartali Bright and early on the morning of May 16th the day before the Giro stage that officially honored Bartali our group suited up and bumped over the cobblestones of Florence on our bikes First we made our way to the little town of Ponte a Ema dusty town has one café and is surrounded by picturesque rolling hills and the pointy green cypress trees that define Tuscany This was the early training landscape for young Gino Gino was born here in 1914 into a humble family His father was a day laborer and his mother worked in the fields He gained fame when he won his first Giro in 1936 and then the Tour de France in 1938 Then World War II hijacked Gino's career Bartali began as military messenger and received special permission to travel between towns and cities on his bike to continue training the Nazis arrived in Italy and it became a very dangerous place for Jews If Jews were stopped in the streets by Nazis or Fascists and they showed an identity card that labeled them as Jewish they could be sent to concentration camps The Rabbi and Cardinal of Florence teamed up to help these Jews find shelter and false identity cards (which were critical for safety but could also be used to procure ration cards and food) Gino became involved in this burgeoning new network through the Cardinal The Cardinal tapped Gino because he needed a postman to distribute the fake identity documents as regular citizens could not move around Italy during the war because there were military checkpoints everywhere As one of Italy's most famous professional athletes it was not surprising that Bartali frequently discovered fans among the soldiers manning the checkpoints We heard bits and pieces of this story on that May morning in the small but proud museum dedicated to Gino Bartali in his hometown of Ponte a Ema There we also spoke with Gino Bartali's granddaughter Lisa "What I admire most of my grandfather Gino is his great courage and determination not only during the races in his long career but the courageous approach that he had in his whole life," she said Lisa was very moved by how many people from different cultural and religious backgrounds had come together to ride to honor her grandfather I had been to the museum years ago while researching my book about Gino but for many of the Israeli cycling team it was their first time.They wandered around in awe The Israeli Cycling academy has embraced Gino Bartali because they are profoundly grateful for how Gino helped Jews during World War II But beyond that "we see Bartali as an inspiration for the next generation of cyclists," said Dan Craven one of the oldest members on the Israeli team and a former national cycling champion of Namibia "Bartali carried the values that we want to bring to the world: sportsmanship Bartali was a scrappy underdog in many different points of his career and this quality appealed to the Israeli team Israel's first professional cycling team was the brainwave of Ran Margaliot who joined forces with Israeli businessman and cyclist Ron Baron The team has progressed to the Pro-Continental level in just over three years Now they have racers from over fifteen countries including Canada nearly 195 kilometers in distance from Florence he would often start these rides early in the morning he would stop by a secret rendezvous point usually photos of refugees that would be used to create false identity documents take off the seat of his bicycle and hide them in the frame he would often wind his way along the strade bianche– the "white roads" that Tuscany is known for – flanked by vineyards and silvery green olive trees Sometimes Gino would do the trip in one shot other times he stayed overnight in a church in Perugia The final miles were among the hardest as Assisi is perched up in the foothills of the Appenine mountain range When Gino arrived in Assisi he would make his way to the San Damiano monastery to meet with a priest named Rufino Niccacci who helped run this wartime counterfeiters' network Gino would drop off the new batch of photos so that they could be transformed into documents two printers near the San Damiano monastery a father and son named Luigi and Trento Brizi worked with Niccacci and others to transform the materials Bartali dropped off into identity documents Then Bartali would return to pick up the new identity documents that could be distributed to Jews hiding in Tuscany and the surrounding areas Our group finally arrived in Assisi in the late afternoon of May 16th and we were met by the deputy mayor of Florence Assisi has recently opened a new museum called the Museo della Memoria or the Museum of Memory where Bartali figures prominently We saw the old printing press that had been used by the counterfeiting network and the faces and stories of many of the Jews that had been saved Their story is depicted here as well as the stories of many Jews who spent their time in Assisi during the war The exhibit also showcases that Bartali became a Righteous Among Nations in 2014 the highest honor bestowed by the Israeli government on a non-Jew for saving the lives of Jews We toasted Bartali over dinner in an old convent turned into a hotel. As the sun sets on the red roofs and spires of Assisi, many shared their reflections about Gino Bartali. Two team members had also created a special video tribute to Bartali. (https://www.israelcyclingacademy.com/pages/in-honor-of-gino-bartali) "For me it's easy to connect to Gino," said Aviv Yechezkel "If we can motivate use Bartali's story to motivate just one person to do something for others not just for themselves then it is a success," said Craven I was reminded of my conversation with Lisa Bartali Lisa quoted a favorite saying of her grandfather's: "Some medals are pinned to your soul Aili McConnon is an avid cyclist and co-author of Road to Valor: A True Story of World War II, the Nazis and the Cyclist Who Inspired a Nation. www.roadtovalorbook.com © Slowtwitch - Built with Federated Computer we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads may adversely affect certain features and functions Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen ROME (JTA) – Italian and Israeli cyclists are paying tribute this week to Gino Bartali an Italian cycling champion who saved hundreds of Jews during the Holocaust and in 2013 was recognized as a Righteous Among Nations smuggled Resistance messages and false documents for Jews hidden in his bicycle frame when riding through central Italy supposedly as part of his training schedule and Jewish representatives at a commemorative ceremony before on Tuesday retracing one of Bartali’s routes – the 190 kilometers It was the second year in a row the Israeli team commemorated Bartali in this way Italy’s annual Giro d’Italia cycling race – which marks its 100th edition this year – will start the day’s ride on Wednesday from in front of a cycling museum dedicated to Bartali in his birthplace which follows a route in stages around the country I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward American Jews need independent news they can trust At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S rising antisemitism and polarized discourse This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on See our full guidelines for more information, and this guide for detail about canonical URLs subject line “republish,” with any questions or to let us know what stories you’re picking up Copyright © 2025 The Forward Association author of a new book about the Giro d’Italia celebrates the Tuscan region’s enduring legacy of cycling heroes and simple-but-superb food There’s nothing I look forward to more each year than the Giro d’Italia – with the possible exception of Christmas dinner at home in Dublin but once you see the pink of the maglia rosa you know long This year is the 100th edition of the cycle race It ingrains itself into everyday life in a way few cultural events can One of this year’s stages departs from the village of Ponte a Ema near Florence Colin O’Brien. Photograph: Paolo CiabertaA few years ago, a group of us recreated one of the training rides Bartali was famous for. My friend, former pro João Correia, who runs a cycling holiday company in Chianti called inGamba organised a 200km ride across Tuscany to Assisi we drove back over the border to Terontola whose railway station has a plaque to Bartali’s war efforts to help Jewish families escape the fascist regime who was Bartali’s mechanic when he was just 16 It’s hard to imagine a day on the bike quite like that anywhere else in the world centered on the magnificent Piazza del Campo you can be out on a little dirt road through a vineyard And that feeds into the personality of the place It’s quite urban in the sense that it’s stylish with lots of little boutiques selling handmade shoes and the like but when you go into the trattorias or the enotecas or markets there’s a tangible connection to the land outside the city gates – in the local prosciutto It’s a classic Italian country trattoria – simple with whitewashed walls – which belies its brilliance because its homemade cantucci biscuits with vin santo are too good to ignore Castello di Ama was one of the first Chianti producers to treat it as a serious wine It’s a family-run vineyard in a 12th-century hamlet near Gaiole and has a nice restaurant and a quite serious art collection Michelangelo Pistoletto and Hiroshi Sugimoto The ride takes place on the strade bianche the stony tracks Bartali would have ridden every day when its character has not been bleached out by the sun or lost in the tourist crowds Most people are labourers or work on the land It’s a million miles away from millionaire villas and convertibles I love it when you go for a coffee in the morning, in one of Chianti’s little villages, and there might be someone in the bar who’s left his battered van parked up with a freshly shot wild boar in the back. Then 20 minutes later, I could be in elegant Siena, getting another shot of espresso at Torrefazione Fiorella an old roasters not far from Piazza del Campo Square one … Piazza del Campo Photograph: Steve Geer/Getty ImagesIt’s a hard place and that’s why it produced cycling legends such as Bartali and Fiorenzo Magni A lot of cyclists are shocked to find that there aren’t the long climbs of the Dolomites or the Alps and when you’re on the gravel strade bianche Colin O’Brien’s book, Giro d’Italia: The Story of the World’s Most Beautiful Bike Race, is out on 13 April (Pursuit Books named ‘Fendi Factory,’ has been designed by Milan-based architectural firm Piuarch and will include a factory The site will be constructed on an area of eight hectares in the countryside which previously housed the Fornace Brunelleschi kiln in the Capannuccia locality and was bought at auction in 2017 Work to demolish the old buildings and improve the land began in August 2018 The work lasted longer than expected but now construction work is ready to begin  Investment in the project totals close to €57 million a part of which has been co-financed by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and the region of Tuscany The site is expected to result in the hiring of 133 new employees in addition to the 243 people already employed at the Fendi plant in Ponte a Ema and this year marks a huge milestone as the centenary edition of the event racers will vie for podium finishes and the right to don the coveted leader jerseys Santini Cycling Wear has been producing official jerseys for the Giro D’Italia since 1993 and will continue their partnership this year with some thoughtful special edition designs   The Capsule Collection jerseys all share the same materials and construction The front and sides are made from a lightweight while a textile dubbed stretch Cyber Rider covers your back The slim-fitting jerseys feature raw-cut Bodyfit sleeves and elastic silicone grippers at the lower hem The Capsule Collection jerseys also include three rear pockets and a full front zipper The first stage jersey is dedicated to the race’s start location in Sardinia It bears the colors of the Mediterranean sea and a stylized traditional Sardinian lapwing melded with the swirling infinity Giro D’Italia centenary symbol The region’s flag and the names of the towns hosting finish lines for the three Sardinian stages also appear on the rear panel The unique sleeve patterns are inspired by Sardinian rug motifs and the collar displays the words L’isola infinita (eternal island) in script   As riders traverse the Apennines in the Bartali stage where legendary rider Giro Bartali was born This jersey celebrates Bartali’s three event wins and seven King of the Mountain jerseys but also pays homage to his resistance efforts during WWII topped by mountains made of letters: This is a reference to Bartali’s role carrying confidential notes during the war The yellow and blue color scheme was chosen as those colors were common threads throughout Bartali’s racing career the message ‘You do good but you don’t talk about it not the jacket,” is featured on the jersey’s back   riders will tackle the highest peak in the race atop the Stelvio Pass at 2757m elevation This jersey is a tribute to the race’s highest peak The words W COPPI are shown on the chest and five-time Giro D’Italia champion Angelo Fausto Coppi’s nickname ‘The Great One’ is featured on the inside of the collar The start and finish cities of Bornia and Rovetta are included on the right and left sleeves while an Amore Infinito logo pattern adorns both   The Giro D’Italia’s final stage is represented in the Monza-Milano jersey which borrows the pink and gold accents from Santini’s Maglia Rosa leader jersey On the chest the words Monza-Milano are shadowed by the profile of the architecturally astounding Doumo cathedral The sleeves also bear Monza-Milano in text and a swirling 100 logo pattern the back of the Monza-Milano jersey features the words ‘L’onda Invincible’ (invincible wave) in reference to a Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper article that announced the creation of the first Giro D’Italia event For those who like to accessorize, Santini is also producing co-ordinated shorts, caps, socks and gloves for each of these jerseys as well. The centenary edition jerseys and matching accessories are now available in stores and online, check out Santini’s website for all the details Steve Fisher is a staff contributor for Bikerumor enduro and downhill mountain biking (plus a few commuter bikes) for seven years Steve wrote for Whistler Traveller Magazine and Mountain Life Magazine an area that offers plenty of challenging world-class singletrack and makes for great photos Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed but don’t want to deal with solvents Simpyfast claims their Lube Cube is the easiest way Peak Performance expands on their MTB specific clothing with new pants Apparently that’s an option when you’re designing products for the GOAT We spotted Cofidis racing an all-new prototype wireless 13-speed Campagnolo Super Record 13 WRL SC road groupset Canyon Bicycles is now selling select models directly through Amazon.com Want wireless shifting but don’t want to have to buy a whole new drivetrain Be protected from the sun with the new UV Hooded Trail Shirt… OrNot The new Van Nicholas Astraeus is a beautiful titanium road bike that’s limited to just 50 frames It pays tribute to Tuscany's own Gino Bartali on the tenth anniversary of his death by including sections on many of his favourite training roads around his home in Ponte a Ema It starts straightforwardly enough but becomes trickier as it passes through Volterra a World Heritage site that's one of the region's most stunning hill-top towns there are sections on the "white roads" made famous by the early-season Monte Paschi Strade Bianche one-day race and a tricky climb before a downhill run to the line The last climb should bring out the overall contenders but maybe not at full bore with the Terminillo to come on stage 8 Distance: 222km Vertical climb: 2,080m Highest point: 585m Terrain: Lumpy Category: Road Stage But he was also a devout Catholic who helped save hundreds of Jews from the Nazis by using his hero-status to courier false documents around Italy On Friday– 100 years after his birth in a small village bar in Florence called Ponte a Ema - Gino Bartali will be remembered in his home region of Tuscany a parade and free museum tours will be held in his honour Bartali – the noted rival of Italy's other beloved cycling champion of the era, Fausto Coppi – died in 2000. He had won three Giri d'Italia and two Tours de France – a decade apart – in a stellar career which straddled the second world war, and, legend has it, helped save Italy from tumbling into civil war in its aftermath As the cyclist battled through a gruelling Tour de France in July 1948 Communist leader Palmiro Togliatti was shot and nearly killed taking an already tense country to the brink of outright conflict who had been far down the leader board on the day of the shooting to eventually take the Tour – news greeted with delight at home and which former prime minister Giulio Andreotti would later acknowledge "contributed to ease the tensions" But Bartali's greatest achievements are now believed to have taken place out of competition when Italy had surrendered to Allied forces and swaths of northern and central Italy became Mussolini's Nazi puppet republic he is understood to have transported counterfeit identity papers to Jews who were at risk of being deported to concentration camps The papers were hidden in the frame of his bike said in 2010 that Bartali had also taken him and his family in hiding them in his cellar until the liberation of Florence in 1944 Bartali never spoke publicly of his clandestine wartime activities which he is believed to have carried out at the behest of the archbishop of Florence he was awarded the title Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem the Holocaust memorial centre in Jerusalem "When I asked my father why I couldn't tell anyone If you talk about it you're taking advantage of others' misfortunes for your own gain," Andrea Bartali told the BBC earlier this year The new facility had been heralded last September by Fendi’s CEO Serge Brunschwig who indicated that the label would relocate to Fermo the operations of its existing footwear factory in Porto San Giorgio state-of-the-art Fermo facility will be built with sustainability in mind Brunschwig spoke at the opening of the first Fendi footwear Master Class organised in partnership with Fermo’s ‘Ostilio Ricci’ vocational training school for artisans (IPSIA) part of the ‘Adopt a School’ project promoted by the Altagamma Foundation the association of Italy’s top luxury brands investing in Italian manufacturing and quality craftsmanship is crucial to ensure that such skills can be handed over from generation to generation of artisans We are very proud to begin building this new factory which will enable us to increase our production capacity and our workforce,” said Brunschwig in a press release will extend over an area of more than 7,000 m2 The façade will have a corrugated aluminium surface for an effect akin to draped leather benefiting from plenty of natural light thanks to glass walls and skylights and distinctive for their minimalist style enhanced by steel furniture and quartz cement floors Tuscany city hopes to celebrate birth of Bartali The Tuscany city of Florence is working on a bid to host the grand depart of the 2014 Tour de France to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Gino Bartali and recall other great Tuscan riders including Gastone Nencini who won the Tour de France in 1960 and Franco Ballerini who died in February last year 2011 Tour de France route reveals Prudhomme's lessons learned 2013 Tour de France start in Corsica almost certain Zolder and Antwerp aiming to host Tour de France start in 1938 and then again after the second world war in 1948 This second win has become legendary because it reportedly distracted the Italians from supporting a civil war near Florence and was a huge figure in the sport until his death in 2000 "The other day the assistant mayor called me about an idea that we've had for five years and that now is finally coming to life," Andrea Bartali "I can reveal that the first steps have been made to make a request to the Tour director Prudhomme asking that Florence host the start of the Tour de France in 2014 Ballerini and my father because 2014 is the 100th anniversary of his birth." The importance of winning the 1948 Tour de France Andrea Bartali recalled how his father went on to win the 1948 Tour de France after getting a call from the head of the Italian Parliament asking him to win to ease the tension in post-war Italy At the time workers had occupied factories and Palmiro Togliatti "Dad got a call from De Gasperi asking him to win the Tour so that people would be distracted from supporting the protests He promised to win the next day's tough stage and told his teammates 'We've got to win for Italy.' He went on to pull back the 21 minutes he'd lost in the Pyrenees and arrived in Paris in yellow with a lead of 26 minutes." Florence is the home to many famous Italian riders Andrea Tafi and former Italian national coach Alfredo Martini who rode with Bartali during his own professional career The 2011 Tour de France will start in the Vendee region of western France The 2012 Tour will start in the Wallonne region of Belgium while Corsica is likely to host the 2013 Grand Depart Stephen FarrandSocial Links NavigationHead of NewsStephen is one of the most experienced member of the Cyclingnews team having reported on professional cycling since 1994 He has been Head of News at Cyclingnews since 2022 before which he held the position of European editor since 2012 and previously worked for Reuters The new production and development unit specialising in Fendi Factory leather goods opened its doors on Wednesday in the presence of local councillors who was in Italy to launch "Les journées particulières" The 30,000 square metre factory is located on an eight-hectare site which previously housed the Brunelleschi furnace designed to limit its impact on the environment as much as possible is surrounded by a large park with 700 olive trees which will produce 900 litres of olive oil per year The project was initially taken on by the Milanese architectural firm Piuarch and then by Fendi's architectural department  The investment amounts to more than 50 million euros the highest made by the group in Italy for a single site The facility plans to employ 350 people by the end of the year This number is expected to double within three years It houses all stages of bag and leather goods production a canteen and a training centre for young leather craftsmen The Factory will expand Fendi's leather goods production capacity in Tuscany the brand relied on its other site in Ponte a Ema The inauguration of Fendi's New Factory Shoes in Fermo took place in a more discreet manner on October 5 LVMH invested 12 million euros to transfer the activities of its shoe production site in Porto San Giorgio which it had been operating for more than ten years in the same Marche region known for its expertise in shoe manufacturing which is also cutting-edge and designed to be sustainable.The new factory covers more than 7,000 square metres and includes various production It is expected to eventually employ 300 people compared to the 120 who worked at Porto San Giorgio By Pagine Ebraiche Staff the Italian major cycling event will depart from Ponte a Ema the hometown and birthplace of one of the greatest cyclists of twentieth century: Gino Bartali (1914-2000) The Italian race will pay a special homage to the legendary champion who saved hundreds of Jews during the Holocaust will attend the ceremony to pay a tribute to him in collaboration with our newspaper Pagine Ebraiche covering the exact same route that Gino Bartali did while smuggling fake documents inside his bike frame to help persecuted Jews: from Florence to Assisi The initiative will be presented to the city this afternoon at Palazzo Vecchio Attending will be the mayor and the city council along with many Jewish representatives The team will be represented by journalist Adam Smulevich “We are going to use this bicycle race to celebrate Bartali’s life and remind ourselves of the wonderful values that this great man believed in,” highlighted team manager Ran Margaliot before leaving Israel for Italy Seleziona il modo in cui vuoi essere contattato da Unione delle Comunità Ebraiche Italiane: Usiamo Mailchimp come piattaforma per la realizzazione e l'invio dei nostri notiziari. Con l'iscrizione le tue informazioni saranno trasferite a Mailchimp per l'elaborazione. Scopri di più sulla privacy di Mailchimp. Copyright © 2025 moked – Reg. Tribunale di Roma 218/2009 ISSN 2037‐1543 Giro d'Italia wildcards spark claims of 'sporting infamy' Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España.Get the latest with our sport podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.Watch on SBS SportSport News the Giro d’Italia is always eagerly awaited – with the excitement added to by the race passing a landmark next month It's one where celebrations of that landmark will be tinged with sadness at the death last weekend of Michele Scarponi organisers have devised a course that with the exception of the briefest of forays into Switzerland lies entirely within Italy’s boundaries and from the opening few days on Sardinia and Sicily and a final week in the mountains of the north of the country First raced in 1909 and pausing only for the two World Wars the past 99 editions of the Giro have seen some of cycling’s giants triumph – among them as shown in this video looking back down the years Here’s our stage-by-stage preview of the race in which those vying for the maglia rosa include past winners Vincenzo Nibali and Nairo Quintana awarded the 2011 win after Alberto Contador was stripped of the title due to his doping ban had been due to lead Astana's challenge in place of the injured Fabio Aru > Play road.cc Fantasy Giro d'Italia! The first three days of the race unfold on Sardinia but celebrations of the island hosting the Gran Partenza will be tinged with some sadness that local hero Aru will not be on the starting line after pulling out a fortnight before the race with a knee Injury There are three categorised climbs on the stage is crested inside the final 20 kilometres and is likely to be used as a launchpad for an attack to secure the maglia rosa on the opening day with barely any flat ground until the final few kilometres into Tortoli where a 1.8-kilometre straight run-in to the finish won’t be seeing a mass sprint but there are several other smaller ones to contend with We’d expect teams without ambitions for the overall to attack on the climb of the Genna Silana to try and get a rider into pink The final stage on Sardinia is flatter than the opening two days and ends in the island’s capital which is hosting a stage finish for the fourth time shouldn’t tax the peloton unduly and the final 25 kilometres or so are as flat as they get which should guarantee a bunch sprint – although a strong southerly wind on the exposed final kilometres could shake things up While the race certainly won’t get as close to Etna’s crater as that BBC film crew did in March this is a tough stage especially this early in the race and with the climb to the Portella Femmina Morta – the Dead Woman’s Pass midway The first summit finish of the race may well mean a change in the overall lead but perhaps too early for any of the favourites to want to take it The final climb isn’t the toughest this year but it’s certainly one of those stages where someone’s GC hopes could be dashed Expect Messina to be in full festa mode today as Vincenzo Nibali – reigning Giro d’Italia champion and one of only six men to have won all three Grand Tours – rides into his home town and on roads he’ll have known all his life The first half of the stage is pretty lumpy but other than a short climb up to the glitzy resort of Taormina the run-in is flat; a day for the sprinters looks on the cards After an unprecedented five stages away from the Italian mainland the race crosses the Straits of Messina into Calabria for the type of stage that could be one in which the breakaway could prevail but which has a bit of a sting in the tail following the day's two major climbs early on then a flat section after the halfway point with a series of sharp climbs and technical descents before the end of the stage where the final kilometre has a gradient of between 5 per cent and 10 per cent This may be officially termed a flat stage but that Category 4 climb between the two intermediate sprints (designated TV on the profile) could see some sprinters struggling to make it back on before the finale which in turn could make it easier for any riders in the escape to keep the peloton at bay They could be helped in their efforts to stay away by what is a reasonably complicated run-in with the race heading mainly uphill through often narrow urban streets with some tight corners ahead of a first-ever stage finish in Alberobello After a flat and potentially fast opening to the stage the road rears up for the ascent to Monte Sant’Angelo ahead of a more undulating second half which could see attacks from riders in the break as well as those in the peloton behind although many will be mindful that a stern test awaits tomorrow The final climb is 1.5 kilometres long with the gradient touching 12 per cent and between 9 and 10 per cent in the final 200 metres meaning the overall contenders could be scrapping to try and take a few seconds over their rivals in the final approach to the line A monster of a climb to a summit finish the day before a rest day and with a Sunday afternoon TV almost audience to boot The race organisers will be expecting fireworks on that final climb The 13.2km climb has an average gradient of 8.5 per cent and – together with the Etna stage before the weekend – will start to give an idea of who this year’s main contenders will be An individual time trial following a rest day isn’t uncommon in a Grand Tour and today’s could see another reshuffling at the top of the overall standings; yes but the distance won’t favour those overall contenders who are less confident against the clock We’re not too far from where Alex Dowsett took his Giro stage win in a time trial in 2013 the Movistar rider an early starter who had to spend hours in the hot seat before being assured of victory today could be one for a strong time trial rider rather than an overall contender Florence (Ponte a Ema) - Bagno di Romagna (161km Ponte a Ema was home to one of Italy’s greatest cyclists – Gino Bartali that he would smuggle false documents hidden in the frame of his bike during training rides to help families escape the Holocaust It’s the toughest stage in central Italy of this year’s race with four categorised climbs – but with the last of those crested 25 kilometres from the finish it looks like one where the riders in the break will be left to fight it out assuming none poses a threat in the overall standings A stage that starts on the Adriatic in a familiar location - Forli is hosting a stage for the nineteenth time - takes the race across the Appenines for the final time and into the Po Valley with the stage profile flattening out for the second half is hosting a finish for the sixth time and while a sprint looks on the cards today it could be from a reduced bunch if those two early climbs have taken their toll The flattest stage of this year’s race will be played out and will almost certainly be a sprint finish It’s been known for such stages to be well in excess of 200 kilometres commemorating five-time champion Fausto Coppi The last time a stage began in Reggio Emilia it ended in tragedy with the death of Wouter Weylandt this stage that pays homage to another Italian cycling legend –the late Marco Pantani who triumphed here during his ill-fated 1999 defence of his title and with the summit finish dedicated in his memory this time round this could be a fast stage as the teams with overall contenders look to keep any escapees in check ahead of what is likely to be a slug-fest on the that last 11 kilometre climb where the gradient hits 13 per cent in places The action in this stage will kick off in earnest in the final 50 kilometres beginning with the climbs of the Miragolo San Salvatore There’s one more climb to come in the finale as the race heads up to Bergamo Alta The finish today is similar to that of last year’s Il Lombardia The former Giro champion celebrated today is happily still alive – Felice Gimondi who duelled with Eddy Merckx and won the maglia rosa three times Any edition of the Giro that takes in the Passo dello Stelvio is special; this year’s Unlike the double ascent of the Alpe d’Huez that featured in the 100th edition of the Tour de France they have to climb it from different sides to be negotiated before attacking the Stelvio from Bormio the race heads back up from the Swiss side – a first for the Giro – before a descent to the finish that will favour the brave start to today's stage with the climb of the Aprica followed shortly afterwards by the Passo del Tonale then a long descent to the halfway point where the road heads upwards again to tackle the Giovo With the day's hardest climbs out of the way and still 80 kilometres to ride our money would be on a rider from the break winning But it could still be influential for the overall especially if a GC contender is feeling below par and struggles early on - in which case expect rival teams to put the hammer down to try and distance him Five categorised climbs – the Passo Pordoi Passo Pinei and then the Pontives ahead of the ascent to the finish And all that with a vertical climb of 4,000 metres across the stage against the gorgeous backdrop of the Dolomites could be the one where the Giro is won or lost; with that many climbs it’s an obvious one for teams aiming for the overall title to go on the attack and assuming the race is still fairly tight How this stage pans out will depend to a large extent on how the GC stands If there is little in the way of time gaps at the top of the overall standings teams with riders with an eye on the maglia rosa may look to get men into what is likely to be a fairly large break to act as a bridge for their leaders later on and we could also see attacks on the Sella Chianzutan climb where Marco Pantani triumphed on his way to overall victory in 1998 with an average gradient of 9 per cent and a maximum of 14 per cent the second half of the climb maintains an average of 8 per cent The final chance for anyone targeting the GC who has lost time to their rivals or who expects to do so in tomorrow's individual time trial to stake their claim to the top spot of the podium in Milan and could well see attacks from the group containing the overall contenders  before the long descent ahead of the final climb of this year's race If anyone in contention for the overall victory manages to get off the front there it could be a thrilling final 15 kilometres as rivals try and give chase After toying for several years with sprinter-friendly final stages in cities such as Brescia organisers have reverted this year to the individual time trial format for the race’s final day in its spiritual home It was here in 2012 that Ryder Hesjedal overhauled Joaquin Rodriguez in an individual time trial to grab the overall victory and give Canada its first – indeed Will the 100th edition of the race end in similarly dramatic fashion please consider subscribing to the site to support us directly As a subscriber you can read road.cc ad-free The revenue from adverts helps to fund our site then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as £1.99 Our mission is to bring you all the news that’s relevant to you as a cyclist But I can't help but think the weather might write off some important climbs in this year's Giro Free highlights are on Quest TV if you dont have Eurosport road.cc's audience Report an advert on road.cc Privacy policy Subscribe All material © Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA11JB. Tel 01225 588855. © 2008–present unless otherwise stated. Terms and conditions of use one of them starting in 1998 Tour de France champion Marco Pantani’s home town of Cesenatico will open the 2024 edition of the race as it heads to Italy for the first ever Grand Départ there in the history of the race 😍 Here are the first 3 stages of the #TDF2024 and its Grand Départ from Florence 😍 Voici les 3 premières étapes du #TDF2024 avec un Grand Départ depuis Florence ! pic.twitter.com/NAp6KFspmG — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) December 21, 2022 What will be the 111th edition of cycling’s biggest race will begin in Florence on Saturday 29 July and conclude on the French Riviera in Nice three weeks later – the first time it will not have finished in Paris with the country’s capital hosting the 2024 Olympic Games days after the Tour de France ends 20 years after Pantani was found dead in an apartment hotel room in Rimini – which will be the arrival city of the opening stage – the choice of Italy to host the Grand Départ also marks 100 years since Ottavio Bottechia became the first Italian rider to win the race The three stages announced today on Italian TV by race director Christian Prudhomme are as follows: The opening stage from Florence to Rimini includes no less than 3,700m of climbing – including a visit to San Marino which will become the 14th country to have hosted the race with a climb that should make a selection before a fast run down to the finish on the Adriatic Coast 🤩 A snapshot of the Grand Départ in Florence a tribute to Gino Bartali in his birthplace of Ponte a Ema before the finish on the Adriatic seafront — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) December 21, 2022 There will be more punchy climbs on the second day with a finale including with the ascent to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca that overlooks Bologna and which provides the climax each autumn to the Giro dell’Emilia Stage 2 / Etape 2 #TDF2024 🏴‍☠️ From Marco Pantani's hometown to Bologna via the 666 arches of San Luca 🏴‍☠️ De la patrie de Marco Pantani à Bologne en passant par les 666 arches du sanctuaire de San Luca, un nouveau cadre d'exception. pic.twitter.com/XpI9hBwrFw — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) December 21, 2022 The third and final stage entirely in Italy will be tailor-made for the sprinters as the peloton heads across the flat plain flanking the River Po and then into the Langhe ahead of a finish in Turin which has welcomed the race on three previous occasions with a visit to Tortone where Fausto Coppi died 🇮🇹 Dernière étape du triptyque italien, avec un passage par Tortone, où le Campionissimo Fausto Coppi s'est éteint, et les vignobles des Langhe.#TDF2024 pic.twitter.com/TTEBTEh5Qz — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) December 21, 2022 23 Tour de France stages have either started or finished in Italy all crossing the border in one direction or the other – and bar the first in the Ligurian resort of San Remo which hosted the finish of a stage in 1948 that had begun in Marseille all have been in either Val d’Aosta or Piedmont Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy will be welcoming the race for the first time The last stage to finish in Italy saw Team Sky rider Edvald Boasson Hagen take a stunning solo win in Pinerolo which also hosted the start of a stage the following day that will live long in the memory as Andy Schleck of Leopard-Trek won on the Galibier with a long-range lone attack five other Italians have won the yellow jersey being among the seven cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours It will be the third year running that the Tour de France has started abroad which had originally been due to host the Grand Départ in 2020 while next year’s edition gets underway in the Spanish Basque Country  Can't wait to see the time gaps after that day I wonder if the TV feed will show solar wind info from the inner Van Allen Belt Have the UCI factored in minimum weight calculations in reduced gravity You also have to take into account time dilations due to being further from the Earth as well (Although that should be miniscule)  And they will have to watch out for low orbit satelites like StarLink etc at 500km All material © Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA11JB. Tel 01225 588855. © 2008–present unless otherwise stated. Terms and conditions of use Vincenzo Nibali on stage 13 of the Giro d'Italia (Sunada) The Italian will return to his home race with his new team to target a third career victory the Sicilian could not refuse the invitation >>> 100 Best Road Riders of 2016: #8 Vincenzo Nibali "I'll be there," he told Belgium's Sudpresse "The centennial Giro will be the main goal of my season travels for three days in Sardinia and then visits Italy's other big island of Sicily The Sicilian will lead the new Bahrain-Merida team He will face former Astana team-mate Fabio Aru and other stars like Team Sky's Mikel Landa Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) and Rafal Majka (Bora) The centenary Giro will be the main objective of the season." The Giro celebrates its 100th edition with a race that visits both big islands and most of the boot-shaped country It only travels outside the border briefly into Switzerland during the Stelvio stage To celebrate Italy's biggest cycling heroes Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi the race starts in their hometowns of Ponte a Ema and Castellania only a few successful champions achieved this But it is still early to talk about it," Nibali said "There is still so much work to do before the start in Sardinia it'll be time to think about who was the strongest." Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1 *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1 Gregor BrownSocial Links NavigationGregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.  This is because the dates of the 2024 race — Saturday July 21 — are too close to those of the Olympics and Paralympics which will be held in Paris and venues across France from July 26 So competitors will be winding their way from Florence through northern Italy and central France to reach Nice as it’s the first time Italy has hosted the "},"children":[]},{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Grand Départ"},"children":[]}]},{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" Some are already calling the route the hardest they’ve seen To see a slice of the action and"},"children":[]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" combine it with a mini-break here are the best places to stay along the Tour de France 2024 route."},"children":[]}]}]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Main photo: a Tour de France fan having a devilishly good time (Getty Images)"}}]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"This article contains affiliate links which may earn us revenue"}}]}]},{"name":"heading2","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"1 Florence"}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"When"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" June 29 Stage 1"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"On the south side of the River Arno with its sweeping view of the Florentine skyline is the postcard-perfect starting point of Tour de France 2024 climbing through the Apennines towards the Adriatic coast and Rimini it will pass the Gino Bartali museum in Ponte a Ema a tribute to the legendary cyclist who won the Tour twice The official presentation of the teams takes place a couple of days before when they’ll depart from Palazzo Vecchio for Piazzale Michelangelo "}},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Florence"}}],"attributes":{"href":"https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe/italy/florence/"}},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" is very walkable so you can’t really go wrong by basing yourself somewhere in the historic centre which is just steps from Ponte Vecchio and just about anywhere else you might want to see Bologna"}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"When"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" June 30 Stage 2"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Departing from the town of Cesenatico the second stage is considerably gentler than the first because the finale in Bologna includes two gruelling climbs to Basilica Di San Luca — a stretch that features in both the Giro d’Italia and the Giro dell’Emilia — before a finish at Piazza Maggiore Fortunately Bologna is one of the "}},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"most gastronomic cities in Italy"}}],"attributes":{"href":"https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe/italy/italy-food-guide"}},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" and a stay here is rewarded with the products of the region Modena’s syrupy balsamic vinegar and fizzy lambrusco You should just about get a glimpse of the finish line from Art Hotel Commercianti — if not Turin"}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"When"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" July 1 Stage 3"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Stage 3 is one for the sprinters The mostly flat terrain will take riders from Emilia-Romagna where Turin is playing host to the finish line at Parco del Valentino No visit to this city of elegant baroque architecture would be complete without a visit to the Museo della Sindone which explores the history of the Shroud of Turin; there are also gems such as the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile with its priceless collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts Dijon"}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"When"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" July 4 Stage 6"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Incorporating a portion of the sublime Route des Grands Crus Stage 6 is one that wine lovers will appreciate the racers will tackle flat roads through vineyards before finishing in Dijon but not especially touristic; among the highlights are the Palais des Ducs and the covered markets What makes a stay here special is the city’s proximity to some of the most famous French vineyards including those of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Check into the Grand Hôtel La Cloche Dijon – MGallery Orléans"}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"When"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" July 9 Stage 10"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"After a rest day in Orléans — the first of the race — the tenth stage sets off from this Loire Valley city and through the Sologne forest before finishing in the village of Saint-Amand-Montrond It’s worth getting here a day or two early as the teams will be using their rest day for active recovery so you’ll have a good chance of spotting them this city was saved by Joan of Arc during its siege by English troops and the Maison de Jeanne d’Arc is a tribute to her life There are also lovely walks along the Loire and it’s within striking distance of the region’s grand châteaux Pau"}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"When"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" July 12 and 13 Stages 13 and 14"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Pau is an important stop on the Tour de France circuit often serving as a base camp for riders either before or after the Pyrenees it will serve as the finishing point of Stage 13 from Agen and the start of the gruelling Stage 14 to Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet Château de Pau is its main attraction; now a museum it was here that Henry IV of France and Navarre was born in 1553 The rest of the city is not as interesting as the scenic countryside that surrounds it — plan an outdoor break of hikes and bikes here Your hotel options are limited; try Hôtel Bristol Pau Nîmes"}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"When"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" July 16 Stage 16"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Appearing on the Tour de France circuit for the 20th time Nîmes is a favourite staging stop for the race The city was once an important outpost of the Roman Empire and the Arena of Nîmes is a prominent reminder Delve into more of this this history at the family-friendly Museum Romanité which has interactive elements that children will love Also worth a visit are the Jardins de la Fontaine — one of the first public parks in Europe Nice "}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"When"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" July 20 and 21 Stages 20 and 21"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Nice"}}],"attributes":{"href":"https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe/france/nice/"}},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" is both the final stop of the Tour de France 2024 and a staging city Stage 20 sees participants peddle through scenic mountain terrain to Col de la Couillole in the Alps while Stage 21 is the individual time trial from Monaco Nice hardly needs any introduction — like the rest of the French Riviera But stroll down the Promenade des Anglais or visit the Marché Aux Fleurs Cours Saleya and you’ll suddenly feel like you’ve moved in which has some of the nicest views of the coastline and the Colline du Château just behind it Monaco"}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"When"}}]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" July 21 Stage 21"}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The final stage of the Tour de France is a comparatively short 21-mile sprint from "}},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Monaco"}}],"attributes":{"href":"https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe/monaco/"}},{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":" to Nice and arguably one of the most exciting legs of the race the architecture is worthy of a gander; outside supercars pass with regularity through the throng of camera-toting tourists skip the harbour and head for Port de Fontvieille instead — it’s much quieter and is close to the Prince’s Palace Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo is the grande dame here home to Alain Ducasse’s first three-Michelin starred restaurant June 29"},"children":[]}]}]},"dropcapsDisabled":false,"expirableFlags":[],"keywords":{"type":"json","json":["tour","de","france","2024","the","best","places","to","stay en","route"]},"leadAsset":{"type":"id","generated":false,"id":"Image:0f4d1b5b-e5b2-4095-b4bf-7ce14cd3e550","typename":"Image"},"relatedArticleSlice":null,"sharingEnabled":true,"savingEnabled":true,"standfirst":"Tour de France 2024 is the first to start in in Italy and finishes in Nice instead of Paris Here are the highlights on the routeQin XieWednesday December 06 2023 The TimesTour de France 2024 is making an unusual break from tradition: for the first time in its 120-year history as it’s the first time Italy has hosted the Grand Départ To see a slice of the action and combine it with a mini-break here are the best places to stay along the Tour de France 2024 route Main photo: a Tour de France fan having a devilishly good time (Getty Images) whether it’s Pitti Palace or the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore Crowds at the Giro d’Italia in Bologna (Alamy)3 which is centrally located and has a Michelin-starred restaurant Stage 6Incorporating a portion of the sublime Route des Grands Crus which is close to the train station and the town centre The Church of Notre-Dame and traditional buildings of Dijon (Getty Images)• Best vineyard hotels to visit in France Stage 10After a rest day in Orléans — the first of the race — the tenth stage sets off from this Loire Valley city and through the Sologne forest before finishing in the village of Saint-Amand-Montrond The Empreinte Hotel & Spa is right on the river and is surrounded by the most historic parts of the city The statue of Joan of Arc in the Place du Martroi in Orléans (Getty Images)6 Stages 13 and 14Pau is an important stop on the Tour de France circuit a boutique hotel in the city’s atmospheric centre Fans cheer on the riders as they race through the countryside to Pau (Alamy)7 Stage 16Appearing on the Tour de France circuit for the 20th time Stay at Margaret – Hôtel Chouleur in the heart of the city The historic centre of Nîmes (Getty Images)8. Nice When July 20 and 21, Stages 20 and 21Nice is both the final stop of the Tour de France 2024 and a staging city Spectators get a great view of the Tour on the Promenade des Anglais (Getty Images)• Best things to do in Nice• Best hotels in Nice When July 21, Stage 21The final stage of the Tour de France is a comparatively short 21-mile sprint from Monaco to Nice Sign up for the Times Travel Newsletter here