Piedmont to host the Grande Partenza of the Giro d'Italia 2024
For the fourth time in its history, the Corsa Rosa will kick off from Piedmont. The opening stage is set for the 4th of May, starting from Venaria Reale. This fraction will feature the Superga hill, tackled 75 years after the tragedy of the Grande Torino football team. For the occasion, a commemorative Giro d’Italia jersey dedicated to the “Invincibles” will be presented. Second stage with uphill finish in Oropa – the Pantani Mountain of this edition – 25 years after the historic exploit of the Pirate on these very slopes. The third stage, from Novara to Fossano, will be the first real opportunity for sprinters. On 7 May, the town of Acqui Terme will host the start of the fourth stage.
Stage 1: Venaria Reale–Torino
4 May 2024
136 km, 1450 m elevation gain
The Giro kicks into ger with a hilly stage featuring challenging finish that will bring out the captains right from the get-go. After reaching Turin from the northern side, the riders will enter a wide circuit tackling the Pilonetto climb on the Superga hill, heading to Moncalieri and riding along the banks of river Po where the finish line is located. The circuit – about 28 km – also features the Eremo climb, which leads to Colle Maddalena from the Corso Casale side followed by a run-in to Moncalieri and the finish line.
Stage 2: San Francesco al Campo–Santuario di Oropa (Biella)
5 May 2024
150 km, 2250 m elevation gain
A demanding stage with an uphill finish. The peloton crosses the Canavese and Biellese areas until reaching Valdengo, where the toughest part of the stage begins, featuring two climbs: Oasi Zegna and Nelva. The riders then descend into the Valley of Cervo towards the town of Andorno Micca and, after crossing Biella, will tackle the 13 km climb leading to the Sanctuary of Oropa, the scene of Pantani’s heroic performance in 1999.
Stage 3: Novara – Fossano
6 May 2024
165 km, 750 m elevation gain
Fast men should step up in stage 03. This fraction will feature the rice areas of Novara and Vercelli and tackle the hills of the Monferrato after crossing the town of Casale. Very few climbs, such as Lu and Cherasco, until the final ramp leading to the arrival. Sprinters will definitely have to sweat to make it to the sprint.
Statistics
The Piedmont region is to host the Grande Partenza of the Giro d’Italia for the fourth time. The previous ones are:
- 1961, on the occasion of the Centenary of the Unification of Italy, the start was held in Turin with a stage named “Trittico Tricolore”, which featured three circuits (White, Red and Green). Stage winner was Miguel Poblet.
- 2011, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy, the start takes place at the Venaria Reale in Turin. The stage is team time trial won by HTC-Highroad, Maglia Rosa to Marco Pinotti.
- 2021, individual time trial in Turin, won by Filippo Ganna.
Eight Piedmont-born athletes have won the Giro d’Italia:
- Fausto Coppi(Castellania), 22 stages, 5 editions of the Giro d’Italia
- Costante Girardengo(Novi Ligure), 30 stages and the 1919 / 1923 editions of the Giro d’Italia;
- Beppe Saronni(Novara), 24 stages and the 1979 / 1983 editions of the Giro d’Italia;
- Giovanni Valetti(Vinovo), 7 stages and the 1938 / 1939 editions of the Giro d’Italia;
- Giovanni Brunero(San Maurizio Canavese), 6 stages and the 1921 / 1922 / 1926 editions of the Giro d’Italia;
- Francesco Camusso(Burdini di Cumiana), 2 stages and the 1931 edition of the Giro d’Italia;
- Luigi Marchisio(Castelnuovo Don Bosco), 2 stages and the 1930 edition of the Giro d’Italia;
- Franco Balmamion(Nole Canavese), winner of the 1962 and 1963 editions, no stages won.
