Riccione, Hotel des Bains, March 17, 2008: Coppi met Bartali

The chronometer has started: the round of the 10th International Coppi and Bartali Week has been revealed by Gruppo Sportivo Emilia. Scheduled from March 25 to 29, it will see 24 teams involved.
They will start from Riccione and the first day of the race is divided into two semilaps. In the morning the first fraction: a circuit of about 11 km, almost entirely flat with a small spurt that, after many rounds, could make the selection before the home-stretch on the sea-front. In the afternoon the race will move to Misano for the second semilap. This is a team time trial with no significant altimetrical difficulties: 12 km flat like the sea on a day without wind to eat up at a very high speed before the final rush to Porto Verde.

On Wednesday 26 the second lap, Castel San Pietro Terme - Faenza: departure from Piazza XX Settembre with an urban mini circuit to be performed 4 times. Then Castel Guelfo di Bologna, Mordano, Bagnara di Romagna, Solarolo. After a quick passage close to Faenza, where the cyclists will come back for the arrival, they will twice face the Grand Prix of the Mountain of Monte Carla that is to be feared and could hurt after 80 km of race.

But the most longed for day will be on Thursday, when the cyclists, starting from Rocca Boiardesca of Scandiano, will climb up to Barigazzo to reach 1217 metres, the summit of the event. Arrival at Pavullo.

On Friday lap devoted to sprinters from Rio Saliceto to Finale Emilia, with 182 km to go at a hellish pace before trying the decisive stab.
The event will end on Saturday with Castellarano - Sassuolo, more than a conclusive carousel: in the centre of Castellarano the cyclists will be faced with the ascent of the Castle, a real wall with prohibitive slopes like a Belgian classic.
Who will still have strenght, will be able to launch towards Sassuolo to win the last round of this exciting race.

Coppi and Bartali would be proud to know that also this year the number 145 that belonged to Marco Pantani will not be assigned.