The Eroica, scheduled for Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October, never ceases to amaze
In these days at the end of August, the welcome is being prepared, the programs are defined and the list of members is scrolled, looking for data and news. In fact, the surprise, very pleasant, is not lacking. To date, with enrollments still open, statistics reveal that the share of foreign participants continues to grow, now “tickling” 40 percent of the total: “Practically 40 percent of foreign entrants, in Gaiole in Chianti, well away from any boundaries of air, land and sea, it means the first great success of L’Eroica – underlines Giancarlo Brocci, creator of L’Eroica – an event born as a niche and becoming quite global in a quarter of a century. All for sharing values that seemed ancient, villagers, the result of nostalgic memories of a child who never grew up. We are proud of it, we have exported an idea, we have demonstrated that if another world is not possible, another way of life is certainly possible”.
In addition to Italy, there will be riders from: Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, France, Austria, United States, Belgium, Poland, Netherlands, Poland, Australia, Czech Republic, Canada, Spain, England, Hungary, Sweden, Luxembourg , Ireland, Romania, Slovenia, Denmark, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Brazil, Malta, Norway, Slovakia, Finland, Greece, Cayman Islands, Estonia, Wales, Latvia, Monaco, South Africa, Afghanistan, Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Northern Ireland, Israel, San Marino, Scotland, Israel, Swaziland.
From which country do the most participants come? The answer is provided by the second extraction from the excel database; Germany and Austria continue to grow and together they now make up 20% of the cyclists at the start.
While waiting for the “holy week of Gaiole in Chianti”, the scenario of the race is being prepared which includes no less than five routes.
The five paths
IL LUNGO “L’EROICO” – Saturday 30 September, departure from 4:30 to 6:00
212.5 kilometers for a difference in altitude of 3887 meters and 145 kilometers of dirt roads.
A long enchanting walk that finds its charm in the departure at 4:30 in the morning with the night passage to the Brolio Castle through the torchlit avenue, the entrance into Piazza del Campo in Siena with the good morning mist for a long journey that can last up to 15 hours.
MEDIUM “CRETE SENESI” – Saturday 30 September, departure from 6:00 to 7:00
132.6 kilometers for a difference in altitude of 2235 meters and 72.70 kilometers of dirt roads.
This is the route known for the ascent of Monte Sante Marie which puts a strain on many cyclists, even experienced cyclists. The passage through the medieval Buonconvento, one of the “most beautiful villages in Italy“, is fascinating.
IL CENTO “VAL D’ARBIA” – Sunday 1st October, departure from 7:00 to 7:30
106 kilometers for a difference in altitude of 1793 meters and 59.40 kilometers of white roads.
This is the new Val d’Arbia route that will take cyclists from Leccione to the foot of Brolio Castle in Siena and then descend towards Radi and go up again via Asciano and Castelnuovo Berardenga.
THE SHORT “GALLO NERO” – Sunday 1st October, departure from 8:00 to 9:30
81 kilometers for 1612 meters in altitude and 34 kilometers of dirt roads.
A classic within the reach of many that can be done in just 4 hours. The passage to the dusty Volpaia is fascinating and an obligatory stop in Panzano by Cecchini and at the Lamole restaurant to taste the Ribollita accompanied by a glass of Chianti Classico.
“THE CHIANTI VALLEY WALK” – Sunday 1st October, from 8:00 to 9:30
46 kilometers for 755 meters in altitude and 20.70 kilometers of dirt roads.
The route is famous for the passage to the Castle of Brolio and the visit to the Eroica Caffé and for the gentle descent towards Pianella with the splendid Siena in the background. Don’t forget to take a picture of the Leccione in the Baron Ricasoli estate, also portrayed in the film by Bernardo Bertolucci, “Io ballo da sola”.
L’Eroica 2023: the programme
Wednesday 27th September
3.00 pm: Opening
15.00 – 19.00: Collection of technical envelopes – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
15.00 – 19.00: General Secretariat – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
15.00 – 19.00: EROICA LAND – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
15.00 – 19.00: Race Pack Collection – Heroic Base
3.00 pm – 7.00 pm: EROICA CYCLING WORKSHOP – Heroic Base
Thursday 28 September
09.00 – 13.00/15.00 – 19.00: Collection of technical envelopes – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
09.00 – 13.00/15.00 – 19.00: General Secretariat – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
09.00 – 13.00/15.00 – 19.00: CYCLE CLUB EROICA – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
09.00 – 13.00/15.00 – 19.00: EROICA LAND – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
09.00 – 13.00/15.00 – 19.00: Race Pack Collection – Heroic Base
09.00 – 19.00: EROICA CYCLING WORKSHOP – Heroic Base
09.00 – 13.00/15.00 – 19.00: REGISTER OF EROIC BICYCLES – Base Eroica
09.00 – 20.00: HEROIC MARKET
16.00 – 20.00: SPONSOR VILLAGE
17.00 – 23.00: THE EROICA FESTIVAL
Friday 29th September
09.00 – 19.00: Collection of technical envelopes – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
09.00 – 19.00: General Secretariat – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
09.00 – 19.00: CICLO CLUB EROICA – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
09.00 – 19.00: EROICA LAND – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
09.00 – 19.00: Race Pack Collection – Heroic Base
09.00 – 19.00: EROICA CYCLING WORKSHOP – Heroic Base
09.00 – 19.00: REGISTER OF EROIC BICYCLES – Base Eroica
09.00 – 20.00: HEROIC MARKET
09.00 – 20.00: SPONSOR VILLAGE
09.00 – 23.00: THE EROICA FESTIVAL
11.00 am: Eroica Classic Press Conference – Casa Eroica (Auditorium Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
13:00 – 19:00: Special Cancellation, Philatelic event
14.00 – 16.00: Concours d’Elegance
15.00 – 16.00: Eroica Club Cycle – Press Conference – Casa Eroica (Auditorium Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
17.00–18.00: Beard & Mustache Competition – Piazza Ricasoli
Saturday 30th September
04.30 am – 7.00 am / 9.00 am – 7.00 pm: Collection of technical envelopes – Casa Eroica (Former Cantine Ricasoli)
04.30 – 7.00 / 9.00 – 19.00: General Secretariat – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
04.30 – 7.00 / 9.00 – 19.00: Race Pack Collection – Heroic Base
04.30 – 21.00: EROICA CYCLING WORKSHOP – Heroic Base
09.00 – 19.00: REGISTER OF EROIC BICYCLES – Base Eroica
09.00 – 19.00: CICLO CLUB EROICA – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
09.00 – 19.00: EROICA LAND – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
09.00 – 20.00: HEROIC MARKET
09.00 – 20.00: SPONSOR VILLAGE
09.00 – 23.00: THE EROICA FESTIVAL
13:00 – 19:00: Special Cancellation, Philatelic event
Departure from L’Eroica
04.30 am: Lungo “L’EROICA” – Km 209 (reserved for bicycles prior to the year 1930)
05.00 – 06.00: Lungo “L’EROICO” – Km 209
06.00 – 07.00: Medium “CRETE SENESI” – Km 135
Waiting for the arrival of L’Eroica
11.30– 21.00: Music and Words up to the Last Competitor
12.00– 21.00: Eroica Pasta Party
Sunday 1st October
06.00 – 09.30: Collection of technical envelopes – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
06.00 – 09.30: General Secretariat – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
06.00 – 18.00: Race Pack Collection – Heroic Base
06.00 – 18.00: EROICA CYCLING WORKSHOP – Base Eroica
09.00 – 17.00: CICLO CLUB EROICA – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
09.00 – 19.00: EROICA LAND – Casa Eroica (Ex Cantine Ricasoli)
09.00 – 19.00: HEROIC MARKET
09.00 – 19.00: SPONSOR VILLAGE
09.00 – 20.00: THE EROICA FESTIVAL
10.00 – 15.00: Special Cancellation, Philatelic event
19.00: Closing speech XXVI edition L’EROICA 2023 – Under the finish line
Departure from L’Eroica
07.00 – 07.30: Medium “CENTO” Km 106
08.00 – 09.30: Medium “GALLO NERO” Km 81
08.00 – 09.30: Short film “THE VALLI DEL CHIANTI” Km 46
WAITING FOR THE ARRIVAL L’EROICA of Gaiole in Chianti
10.00 – 18.00: Music and Words up to the Last Competitor
12.00 – 21.00: Eroica Pasta Party
This article is originally published on gazzettadisiena.it
