Paolo Bellino, CEO and General Manager of RCS Sport, said: “The previous edition of the Milano-Sanremo was held on an unusual date and took place over an unprecedented route. The results were very positive for the sport, for the media and from the audience’s point of view too. It highlighted the strong interest around La Classicissima and the level of excitement from fans all over the world that look forward to the event each year. This year, for the 112th edition of the race, we have decided to bring the Milano-Sanremo back onto its “classic” route in the Liguria region. So most of the route will remain as it has traditionally been; with the Aurelia, the Tre Capi, Cipressa and Poggio before the arrival on Via Roma, but we will not be able to visit the Turchino for technical reasons. What is certain is that this edition will witness the greatest riders in international cycling putting on a show on roads that have become legendary thanks to La Classicissima”.
The President of Regione Liguria Giovanni Toti said: “The Milano-Sanremo returns to truly open the cycling season, it returns in spring and, albeit with a route that is slightly different from the traditional one, returns for the most part to Liguria. The mimosas, the olive trees, the sea, it all comes together for the ideal setting for this true classic of cycling, with the riders’ ‘parade’ along the coast being one of the most important elements of the inimitable charm of this race. On top of it, the hope that this year the race will mark the beginning of a return to normality that we all await. We have had to suffer too many postponements, too many closures, too many setbacks to spring and summer events, which are the driving force behind the Ligurian hospitality and tourism sector. Let’s start again from Milano-Sanremo: that injection of energy, hope and the opportunity for a real restart for everyone “.
The Councilor for Tourism of the Regione Liguria Gianni Berrino said: “I am extremely pleased that the organizers have opted for the route that we at Regione Liguria had suggested. The choice, given the impossibility of crossing the Turchino, to pass the race on the Aurelia from Albisola throughout the province of Savona and finish in Sanremo is the most logical one. The Milano-Sanremo, one of the most important and popular races of the cycling season, is a very important event from a tourist point of view because, through live television, it is possible to admire for a few hours the panoramas of Liguria di Ponente, both those of the Riviera and those of the hinterland. I am thinking, for example, of the three historic Capi before Imperia (Capo Mele, Capo Cervo and Capo Berta) or, after last year’s passage on the Col di Nava, Giovo with Stella and Sassello”.
The Councilor for Sport of the Regione Liguria Simona Ferro added: “The Milano – Sanremo is the Classicissima, the most important and famous one-day race held in Italy and one of the five international cycling monuments. This is the race of Girardengo, of the eternal challenge between Coppi and Bartali and evokes great names in Italian cycling such as Saronni, Moser, Cipollini and Nibali. The Milano-Sanremo belongs to Liguria and is an event that shows the whole world our wonderful region. Even without the classic route, the Milano-Sanremo is still raced for a large part within our territory. As Regione Liguria, we have suggested a route through Sassello and Albissola, which guarantees a high competitive standard and which crosses most of our region”.
