Tour de France : The Tuscan capital of Florence, typically renowned for its artistic treasures such as frescoes and Michelangelo’s masterpieces, is set to welcome an unprecedented influx of tourists this weekend. Instead of art enthusiasts, the city will host approximately 800,000 cycling fans for the Grand Départ of the Tour de France. This marks the first time in the 121-year history of the world’s most famous cycling race that its start will be hosted in Italy.
Local authorities in Tuscany and Emilia Romagna view this as a prime opportunity to spotlight a region that has produced some of Italy’s most iconic cyclists. Among these legends are Marco Pantani, the celebrated climber; Gastone Nencini, famously known as the chain-smoking Lion of Mugello; and Alfonsina Strada, the pioneering woman who participated in the men’s Giro d’Italia in 1924.
The significance of this event is particularly poignant for Gioia Bartali, the granddaughter of Gino Bartali. Gino, a native of Florence and two-time Tour de France winner, posthumously gained recognition for saving hundreds of Italian Jews during World War II. Gioia Bartali expressed her pride and emotion, stating, “This is a truly extraordinary event that pays tribute to my grandfather but also to Ottavio Bottecchia [the first Italian to win the yellow jersey] and other great figures like Gastone Nencini. They belong to an historical era of cycling that practically doesn’t exist anymore … they are cyclists who truly wrote pages of history and who brought prestige to Italy throughout the world.”
The Tour peloton will commence its journey from Piazza della Signoria in Florence, parading through the city’s historic center before the official start of the race. The route will take the cyclists past the Gino Bartali museum in Ponte a Ema, the birthplace of the legendary champion.
In a delightful local touch, Cinzia Otri, an ice-cream maker from Florence, has created a special flavor dedicated to the Tour de France. Her Gelateria della Passera in the Santo Spirito area of Florence is now serving “Bartali Bartali,” a yellow ice-cream with a dash of purple, symbolizing the Tour’s yellow jersey and Florence’s colors. Otri remarked, “We have always felt very affectionate towards our champion and wanted to dedicate an ice-cream to him … but we are also very proud to be hosting the start of the race. There’s a lot of excitement.”
Gino Bartali’s illustrious career includes three victories in the Giro d’Italia and two Tour de France wins, in 1938 and 1948. However, it was his covert wartime activities that have cemented his legacy. During World War II, Bartali used his bicycle to transport counterfeit identity documents, hidden within its frame and handlebars, to Jews in hiding throughout Tuscany and neighboring regions. His actions saved hundreds of lives. Despite the immense challenges of cycling during that era, Bartali remained modest about his achievements. Reflecting on the difficulties, he once said, “There was none of the kind of assistance there is today. The roads were of poor quality and there were moments when they didn’t even get a drop of water.”
Bartali, a devout Catholic, endured many hardships in his racing career, including a fall from a bridge into a river during the 1937 Tour de France. His prayers were not for victory but for safety, as he understood the grave risks involved.
This year’s race officially begins at midday on Saturday from Viola Park, Fiorentina FC’s newly inaugurated sports hub. The first stage will see the peloton travel eastwards to the coastal resort town of Rimini.
As Florence prepares to host the Grand Départ, the city is abuzz with anticipation. The event not only honors the rich cycling heritage of Tuscany but also brings together a global community of cycling enthusiasts. For a city steeped in history and culture, the Tour de France represents yet another chapter in its storied past, blending the worlds of art, sport, and human endurance. The excitement is palpable, and Florence stands ready to make history once more as it welcomes the world to witness the start of this legendary race
