TOMORROW'S STAGE
Stage 10 – Campi Bisenzio - Sestola – 219 km
After the first 25km, this mountain stage doesn’t feature one single flat metre. Just past Pistoia, the route climbs up Passo della Collina (on wide and ever-bending roads) and across the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. After dropping quickly into Porretta Terme, the route climbs up again to tackle the Pietracolora categorised climb, leading into Valle del Samone. A short flat sector follows, leading to Marano sul Panaro. Here the route starts to climb and descend constantly over 70km (with milder or harsher gradients), all the way up to the Pian del Falco KOM. The final part of the climb features long stretches with double-digit gradients (topping out at 14%). The last 15km run half downhill and half uphill.
Final kms
The final kilometres comprise a fast and technical descent that leads from the KOM summit to Fanano. The descent can be divided into two quite steep parts: the first one runs on large roads, with just a few bends, and leads into a second section where the road is narrower at points, and which twists and turns all the way up into urban Fanano. Next on the route is the final 7km climb, with gradients of 5-6%, on a wide yet winding road that leads into the final 100m long, uphill home straight, on a 6.5m wide asphalt road.
POINTS OF INTEREST
CAMPI BISENZIO – km 0
This densely populated, lively city in the plains between Florence and Prato hosted the Campi Bisenzio - Bologna/San Luca stage on May 23, 2009. Rocca Strozzi, now municipal administration building, is the symbol of the city. Major landmarks also include the well-preserved mediaeval walls (partly skirting the Bisenzio River), along with some outstanding buildings both within the old town centre and around the broader territory of the city. The city’s first rate cuisine offers a wealth of traditional Tuscan specialties.
PRATO – km 4
A picturesque district, rich in monuments and heritage.
AGLIANA – km 13 and PISTOIA – km 22
Agliana is the birthplace of Fabrizio Fabbri (1948), a successful professional rider in the 1970s and, later, a sports director.
Pistoia city centre, surrounded by 14th-century walls, brims with architectural splendour. Major landmarks include the cathedral of San Zenoand the Town Hall (Palazzo del Comune).
PASSO DELLA COLLINA (KOM) – km 38
The hamlet of Capostrada reminds us of Loretto Petrucci (1929, two-time Milano-Sanremo winner).
SAMBUCA PISTOIESE – km 49
The hamlet of Pàvana is home to Francesco Guccini (Modena, 1940), famous Italian singer-songwriter, musician and novelist.
PORRETTA TERME – km 56
A renowned spa town.
PIETRACOLORA (KOM) – km 76
The route is now in the of Gaggio Montano municipal territory, known to cycling enthusiasts asthe headquarters of the Saeco sponsor.
MONTESE – km 82 and PONTE DI SAMONE (feed zone) – km 99
Montese’s main landmark is the Rocca Montecuccoli.
MARANO SUL PANARO – km 113
An area of cherry-growing, and of excellent food such as tigelle and gnocco fritto. Located in the “Parco dei Sassi di Roccamalatina” regional park, this area is marked by typical erosion and deep cracking of the clayey rocks (“gullies”). East of Marano sul Panaro, Vignola (at the foot of the first hills of the Appennines is known for its “Moretta di Vignola” cherries.
SERRAMAZZONI – km 133
This major centre of the Frignano area provides top-quality tourist accommodation services and sports. It is home to a centre of the Italian Tennis Federation. Footballer Luca Toni was born here in 1977.
PAVULLO NEL FRIGNANO (intermediate sprint) – km 146
Lying among the hills between the Panaro and Secchia rivers valleys, sights include the ancient castle of the noble Montecuccoli family, rising on the hills of Montecuccolo, and the tiny church of San Lorenzo, built in 1469. The hamlet of Olina is renowned for an amazing stone bridge spanning the Scoltenna stream and dating back to 1522. Arrigo Polillo (1919-Milan 1984), journalist, reviewer, historian and organiser of many Italian music events, was native to the town.
POLINAGO – km 165 and LAMA MOCOGNO (intermediate sprint) – km 179
Among the gentle rolling hills are Polinago – with many ancient military fortifications – and Lama Mocogno (intermediate sprint). It is a major road hub, set in woodland, with a number of smaller villages including a well-equipped winter sports station. Sassostorno di Lama Mocogno was hometown to Romeo Venturelli (1938-2011), a professional rider from 1960 to 1973.
MONTECRETO – km 192
A major skiing and ice-skating resort, with many parks.
SESTOLA – km 198 and PIAN DEL FALCO (KOM) – km 203
First passage in Sestola followed by the 1st category Pian del Falco climb. The summit was a stage finish in 1971, with victory going to the Spaniard José Manuel Fuente. In 2014, the finish was set in Passo del Lupo, where Dutchman Pieter Weening nailed a stunning stage win.
FANANO – km 211
Lovely holiday destination with a splendid clock tower.
SESTOLA (KOM) – km 219
Back to Sestola, to the urban area this time, heading for a summit finish with a 3rd category climb. It is a busy and popular destination for summer and, especially, winter tourism, lying at the foot of Monte Cimone, the highest peak of the Northern Apennines (2165m).
Lago della Ninfa is a natural lake surrounded by beech woods, near Passo del Lupo, that offers cross-country skiing and, in the summertime, walking, hiking, cycling and, mostly, mountain biking.
Equally noteworthy is the “Esperia” Alpine botanical garden. The old town centre has grown around the ancient fortress. The Museum of mountain and rural civilization hosts a collection of historical. Sestola and the Mount Cimone, with its skiing slopes, is connected to the alpine skiing champion Alberto Tomba.
The peloton on its way to Roccaraso