50TH GIRO DELLA LUNIGIANA UNVEILED

The Race of the Future Champions returns with five stages from September 9-12, covering 399.9 km. The 29-team line-up, including 12 national teams, was also announced, together with the new NEB18 leader jerseys. Daily live coverage will be available on YouTube.

With just 40 days to go until the start of the 50th Giro della Lunigiana, the route of one of the world’s most prestigious junior stage races was officially unveiled last night at the Terre di Luni estate in Ameglia.

The presentation ceremony brought together local authorities, sponsors, host stage committees and friends of the race, while several champions who helped write the event’s rich history were also in attendance. Among them were Alessandro Petacchi, winner of a stage in 1992, Gilberto Simoni, overall winner of the 1989 edition, and Evgeni Berzin, who went on to win the Giro d’Italia as a professional.

The evening also featured the announcement of the fifth edition of the Giro della Lunigiana Women, with full details set to be revealed in the coming days.

THE ROUTE

09/09 – STAGE 1: LA SPEZIA-FOSDINOVO, 98 KM

The opening stage is an undulating affair packed with constant changes of rhythm, leaving the peloton with very few opportunities to recover. The race immediately heads uphill after the start in La Spezia, tackling the climb to La Foce before descending into the Vara Valley.

A succession of short climbs and descents follows, with the riders crossing Bracchetto twice in a selective middle section that is expected to split the bunch.

After passing through Ceparana, the roads become faster before the race reaches its decisive finale. Inside the final 10 kilometres, the route climbs once again through Caniparola before the uphill finish in Fosdinovo, where a punchy final ascent is likely to shape both the stage result and the overall standings.

The Race of the Future Champions returns to Fosdinovo for the first time since Manuel Oioli claimed victory there five years ago.

10/09 – STAGE 2: PORTOFINO-CHIAVARI, 93.4 KM

One of the most spectacular and demanding stages of this year’s edition, Stage 2 is designed for the climbers and aggressive riders.

Following the start in Portofino, the peloton heads towards Rapallo and San Lorenzo della Costa before turning inland. The climb to Uscio opens a demanding sequence of ascents culminating at Passo della Scoffera, the highest point of the stage. Featuring steady gradients and two tunnels before the summit, the climb is expected to provide the day’s decisive selection.

A long descent leads into the Fontanabuona Valley before a rolling finale. The short climb to Bocco inside the closing kilometres offers one final opportunity to attack before the descent to the finish in Chiavari.

Austria’s Anatol Friedl claimed victory there twelve months ago.

11/09 – STAGE 3A: FIVIZZANO-MARINA DI MASSA, 54.6 KM

The only stage tailor-made for the sprinters, Stage 3A features virtually no climbing as the race leaves Lunigiana and heads towards the Apuan-Versilia coastline.

After the start in Fivizzano, the route passes through Pallerone and Aulla before following the Magra Valley towards Sarzana. From there, the roads remain flat across the Plain of Luni before reaching Carrara and Massa, where a fast seaside finish is expected to produce the first bunch sprint of the race.

Last year, Trentino rider Alessio Magagnotti celebrated victory on the Marina di Massa seafront.

11/09 — STAGE 3B: VEZZANO LIGURE-RIOMAGGIORE, 45.8 KM

Despite its short distance, Stage 3B promises to be one of the most explosive of the race, with every section potentially proving decisive.

After the start in Vezzano Ligure, the opening kilometres through Sarzana, Santo Stefano Magra and Caprigliola provide little indication of what lies ahead. The race changes character at Valdurasca, where the road climbs towards La Foce before a fast descent leads to the foot of the ascent to Biassa, the day’s main obstacle.

The climb is long and steady before the riders tackle the Cinque Terre tunnels, which interrupt the rhythm ahead of the finale. The closing kilometres feature a succession of short climbs and technical descents before the uphill finish in Riomaggiore, where the Giro della Lunigiana will conclude a stage for the very first time.

12/09 – STAGE 4: CASTELNUOVO MAGRA-CASANO DI LUNI, 108.1 KM

The final stage is a relentless test, with almost no prolonged flat roads and a constant sequence of climbs and descents across the hills linking the Plain of Luni with the Ligurian coastline.

Following a relatively gentle start, the riders climb towards Ortonovo before descending to Marina di Carrara. After crossing the coastal plain, the race tackles the ascent to Montemarcello, the toughest climb of the day, where the regular gradients are expected to make a significant selection.

The descent brings the peloton back towards Luni Mare before the route heads once again into the surrounding hills, repeating a demanding circuit through vineyards and historic villages. The repeated changes of gradient steadily increase the difficulty despite the modest elevations.

A final climb in the closing kilometres precedes the descent to Casano di Luni, where the winner of the 50th Giro della Lunigiana will be crowned.

THE TEAMS

12 National Teams

• Austria
• Belgio
• Colombia
• Germania
• Kazakistan
• Lettonia
• Messico
• Norvegia
• Polonia
• Rep. Ceca
• Slovacchia
• Slovenia

17 Regional Teams

• Casano-Lunigiana
• Campania
• Bolzano
• Emilia Romagna
• Friuli Venezia Giulia
• Lazio
• Liguria
• Lombardia
• Marche
• Piemonte
• Puglia
• Sardegna
• Sicilia
• Toscana
• Trento
• Umbria
• Veneto

THE LEADERS JERSEYS 

The leader jerseys of the 50th Giro della Lunigiana have been designed and produced by NEB18 and will feature the “La Mia Liguria” branding.

• Maglia Verde, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by Ministero per lo Sport e per i giovani
• Maglia Blu, leader of the Points Classification, sponsored by Regione Liguria
• Maglia a Pois, leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna, sponsored by Conad
• Maglia Bianca, leader of the Young Riders Classification, sponsored by Banca Versilia Lunigiana e Garfagnana BCC
• Maglia Arancione, leader of the Intermediate Sprints, Regione Liguria Assessorato allo Sport – Memorial Massimo Vanello
• Maglia Celeste, leader of the Italian Riders Classification, sponsored by A.L.A. Area Vasta Ligure Apuana