Sardinia To Host 100th Giro D'Italia Grand Depart

For the third time the island will be the scenic setting of the Giro d'Italia Big Start, following 1991 and 2007, hosting three stages for sprinters and finisseurs. Fabio Aru describes his very own Sardinia. #Giro100 is the official event hashtag.

Milan, 14 September 2016 – Giro d'Italia 2017 will be the race's 100th edition, a historic milestone that will start from Sardinia for the third time in its long history. The Big Start of the Corsa Rosa – organised by RCS Sport/La Gazzetta dello Sport from Friday 5 to Sunday 28 May – was unveiled this morning in Milan. The race will include three in line stages on the island: Alghero-Olbia (203km), Olbia-Tortolì (208km) and Tortolì-Cagliari (148km).

2007 saw the Giro d'Italia's previous Big Start in Sardinia (credit BettiniPhoto)

RACE HISTORY
The 2017 edition will mark the 88th Big Start of the race from within Italy, 12 starts having been made from abroad. The first time Giro d'Italia was raced in Sardinia was in 1961; an occasion that marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Italian kingdom. The Corsa Rosa, which started in Turin, arrived on the island for Stage 4, Cagliari-Cagliari, won by Oreste Magni. That edition of the Giro, which ended in Milan, was won by Arnaldo Pambianco.
Thirty years later, in 1991, the island saw its first Big Start, with two in line stages and two semi-stages, one of which was a time trial. Franco Chioccioli won that year's Giro.
The Giro d'Italia's 90th edition started in Sardinia with the spectacular Caprera-Maddalena Team Time Trial and the unforgettable Teams Presentation on the Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi.  After 10 years away the Corsa Rosa returns its roads on the island.

Fabio Aru e Urbano Cairo

QUOTES
Fabio Aru, Sardinian professional cyclist, said: "Since I've heard the rumours about a Giro Big Start in my Region I've always hoped it was really going to happen. Being here today it's a great feeling and makes me really proud: I'm sure there has been a lot of other decisive factors but even being able to think that my success on a bike could be a positive contribution for making this Big Start happen makes me very happy. On top of that, thinking that this is going to be the 100th Giro d'Italia, I couldn't ask for more. I hope that this important event will kickstart in Sardinia a competitive cycling movement able to organise many races at all age levels, allowing young riders to grow. I will make my next year's racing programs with our sport directors at the end of November, but I can certainly say that I wouldn't like to miss a Giro that starts in my Sardinia for anything in the world!"

RCS MediaGroup Chairman and CEO, Urbano Cairo, said: "I'm proud to contribute to the emotion of the Giro d’Italia, which I’ve been passionate about since I was a child, when I followed my hero, Felice Gimondi. The Giro is in our DNA, a national treasure that we want to valorise at the highest possible level. We will start from Sardinia, one of our country’s most beautiful regions, and I'm sure that the 100th edition will be truly special. My intention is to grow the Giro d’Italia more and more and take it to the maximum level. We will make important investments along with our partners and everyone who will be part of the future Giro family, be they media, sponsors or political institutions."

From left: Francesco Morandi, Fabio Aru, Giorgia Palmas, Paolo Bellino e Mauro Vegni

Mr Francesco Pigliaru, Region of Sardinia President, said: "Hosting the Giro d’Italia Big Start in such a special occasion as the 100th edition of the race is not only a great honour for Sardinia, but also a unique occasion to show the world our territory in a different way. These three stages will offer a privileged view on both the coast and the internal part of the island: famous landscapes, loved by tourists from all over the globe, will be portrayed next to less known but as fascinating areas. We are investing heavily in cycle tourism and we know how important cycling is in getting to know a territory in its entirety and appreciate its full beauty. I would like to think that cyclists from all over the world, watching the Giro d'Italia, will fall in love with our roads and will decide to come here and discover Sardinia while pedalling.”

Paolo Bellino, RCS Sport Managing Director, said: "It's an honour for me being here with you today to launch a historic edition of the Giro d’Italia, the 100th, that I'm certain will be unique. This is an event which is not only part of the sport scenery but it's part of the cultural and social history of our country. The Big Start from Sardinia will be spectacular thanks to a unique territory, a truly incomparable setting that will host us. The Giro d’Italia is the main event of RCS Group and its prestige and value, both nationally and internationally, keeps growing year on year. This is shown by the number of fans in 194 countries across the five continents attract media, sponsors and local institutions such as the one here with us today and that I would like to thank. We're proud to represent Italian excellence to the world."

The Region of Sardinia's Head of Tourism, Commerce and Artisanship, Francesco Morandi, said: "The biggest event in Italian sport has chosen the amazing scenery of Sardinia to celebrate its 100th edition. With the 2017 Big Start we make sure that our territory will have maximum international visibility and a very important return on investment thanks to an extraordinary initiave focused on promoting our land, its lifestyle and its sustainable growth model. The three stages on the island in May, just after Easter, will mark the opening of the tourism season and are strategic to increasing the number of tourists outside peak season as planned in the three-year period 2016-2018. This event fits perfectly with our plan, focused on active and sport tourism, building the offer through great events and new reasons to travel and visit us."

Mauro Vegni, Giro d'Italia Director, highlighted the importance of this historic Big Start: “This is going to be a very special edition of Giro d'Italia, not only because it's the 100th one but because the Big Start from Sardinia, an event within the event, is the beginning of a sporting and cultural story of Italy that will last almost a month. This story will be showcased to the world through the unique Italian imagery and international TV coverage. 'The toughest race in the world's most beautiful place' is not just a romantic claim but also a statement of fact. It's going to be a surprising Giro, not only in the complete course which we will reveal in full at the end of October, but for the locations we are going to visit, locations that made the history of our country.”

COURSE
STAGE 1 – ALGHERO - OLBIA – 203km
Moderately hilly stage: a constant series of up and downs along the northern coast of the island with a few KOM climbs and many other short punchy climbs. The last categorised climb, 20km before the finish line, is San Pantaleo, which could become a launch ramp for the finisseurs to anticipate the sprinters. It's a 5km climb with 3km around the average 8% inclination, the toughest section being in the first part. The route undulates again until the finish line in Olbia, where teams should work hard to end up in a bunch sprint.


STAGE 2 – OLBIA - TORTOLÌ – 208km
This Medium Mountain stage could end up in a bunch sprint. The first part of the stage is in the Nuoro region, an internal part of the island, and is characterised by three long climbs: the first toward Bitti and Orune (categorised as KOM), the second harder climb toward Nuoro city centre (KOM) and the third to overcome Genna Silana Pass (KOM). The last 50km are mostly descents or flat, but the course with many bends could create problems to close eventual gaps. Stage could end up with a sprint but this has to be conquered.


STAGE 3 – TORTOLÌ - CAGLIARI – 148km
This stage is almost flat with few mild hills along the course. After Villasimius there are some short punchy climbs along the coastal route. After that the road becomes flat toward the finish line in Cagliari until what's likely to be a bunch sprint.


POINTS OF INTEREST
STAGE 1 – ALGHERO - OLBIA – 203km
ALGHERO hosts the start of the first stage of 100th edition of the Giro d’Italia. In the province of Sassari, Alghero is a touristic destination, also known as 'the Little Barcelona'; Catalan is recognised as a minority language (almost a quarter of the population speak Catalan in its Alghero variant). Alghero is the most important city of the Riviera del Corallo, with the most precious quality red coral in its waters. In Alghero's territory there are remains of the Nuragic civilization, which flourished in the island starting from the Bronze Age (around 1800 BC) until Roman times. The Alghero cuisine is based mainly on fish and seafood, particularly lobster; besides the lobster all'algherese, typical dishes include spaghetti with sea urchins, spaghetti with bottarga and Alghero paella. 
SASSARI is the historic urban centre of "Capo di sopra", the upper part of the island. "Capo di sopra" and "Capo di sotto" (a division dating back to the Catalan-Aragonese domination) have been the two larger administrative areas of Sardinia, with Sassari and Cagliari respectively being their main centres. The typical Sassari cuisine is rich and varied, with traditional rural dishes of the city and neighbouring towns. Vegetables are the most important ingredients in many of the local dishes (eggplant, onion and beans), along with the less valuable parts of the slaughter animals (lamb and pork).
SANTA TERESA overlooks the Straits of Bonifacio and Corsica. The town's symbol is the Spanish tower of Longosardo, built around the 16th century by order of King Philip II of Spain. The GALLURA is a historical and geographical region of Sardinia, that extends in the northeastern part of the island, and its territory includes the famous Costa Smeralda. Its main centres are Olbia, Tempio Pausania, Arzachena, La Maddalena. The COSTA SMERALDA is a coastal stretch of Gallura in the northeast of Sardinia, characterised by its many coves, sea inlets and small beaches. In the waters of the Costa Smeralda, located in Golfo Aranci, the Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute research centre performs activity of research, conservation and environmental education about dolphins.
PALAU is located on the coast, close to the Costa Smeralda, and is the port used to access the La Maddalena archipelago. The archipelago of LA MADDALENA is a group of about 60 islands off the Costa Smeralda, including La Maddalena and Caprera, with a total of 180km of coastline, which is a popular destination for boaters due to its emerald waters. Caprera hosted Garibaldi during his exile and it is connected to an artificial isthmus in La Maddalena. Since 1994 the archipelago of La Maddalena has been designated a geomarine National Park.
OLBIA, the finish of the first stage and start of the second, is a populous town in the province of Sassari, the fourth in Sardinia by number of inhabitants (after Cagliari, Sassari and Quartu Sant'Elena) and the second largest territory (after Sassari). From 2005 Olbia was, together with Tempio Pausania, the chief town of Olbia-Tempio until the province was dissolved in 2016. Having been the ancient "capital" of Gallura, its territory is a major tourist attraction, with the sea, beaches and the Nuragic settlements.

Alghero (credits Sardegna Turismo)

STAGE 2 – OLBIA - TORTOLÌ – 208km
NUORO extends on a granite plateau, in the eastern hinterland of Sardinia. It is located about 550m above sea level and is Italy's seventh highest provincial capital (after Enna, Potenza, L'Aquila, Campobasso, Aosta, Caltanissetta). There are many archaeological sites of the Nuragic civilization, most notably the Nuraghe Tanca Manna, located in the town of Nuoro, which dates back to the Middle Bronze Age.
The NATIONAL PARK OF THE GULF OF OROSEI and Gennargentu was established as a protected area in 1998 and covers an area between the Gulf of Orosei and the Gennargentu massif. The Gennargentu, characterised by rocks dating back to the Paleozoic era, has the island's highest mountain peaks, including Punta La Marmora with its maximum elevation of 1,834 meters.
TORTOLÌ, the finish of the second stage and start of the third, is famous for its crystal clear waters and beautiful beaches. ARBATAX, a hamlet of Tortolì, is home of the port for ferries and fishing boats. The famous Cannonau DOC wine is produced in the Tortolì area in classical and reserve versions; the grapes of Sardinia's most famous vine being conferred in the social winery for a production of more than 1.5 million bottles a year. The typical dishes are those of the agricultural tradition ("culurgiones" made of potatoes, cheese and mint, closed in the classical 'ear' form, vegetable soups, beef and lamb), together with the typical seafood dishes (especially lobsters, shrimp, tuna, swordfish and many other Mediterranean species, from the Arbatax vessels). Tortolì's fish production is a culinary excellence recognised worldwide for its quality, including eels, sea bream and especially the "bottarga di muggine", a delicious grey mullet roe.

Olbia - Sassi Piatti (credits Sardegna Turismo)