The Tour de France in Bologna

This year, the Tour de France is set to start for the first time in its history from Italy, and Bologna, the destination of one of the stages, is looking forward to welcoming it.

Le Grand Depart is due to start in Florence on Saturday 29 June 2024 with the first stage Florence-Rimini, followed by Cesenatico-Bologna, before departing on the third day from Piacenza towards Turin and finally leaving the Bel Paese on the fourth day with departure from Pinerolo and arrival in France.

Why is the Tour de France leaving from Italy?

It has now become common practice for the big starts of the best-known cycling stage races to start in a destination other than their home country (this applies to the Giro d'Italia too). 

This is largely motivated by economic and marketing reasons: with its 1.14 billion contacts in 190 countries, 28,000 hours of broadcasting worldwide, and live races on 100 TV channels, the return in visibility for the involved countries is overwhelming. The world's leading cycling race running right next door is a unique showcase opportunity in terms of tourism promotion.

So, why Italy and these particular cities?

A century ago, an Italian won the Grande Boucle (the Tour's nickname) for the first time: it was Ottavio Bottecchia, a bricklayer from Friuli and champion of that legendary and heroic cycling. As a tribute to our country, the yellow caravan of the Tour moved to Italy, taking in the home towns of the greatest cyclists our country has ever produced.

Florence and Tuscany for Bartali and Nencini, Emilia-Romagna and Cesenatico for their deeply-rooted cycling tradition and for Pantani (the last cyclist ever to win the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France in the same year) and finally Piedmont for Coppi.

Where does the Tour de France call at in Emilia Romagna?

Emilia-Romagna will be the undisputed protagonist of this Grand Depart, being touched on in all three of the initial stages: arrival in Rimini (from Florence), followed by Cesenatico-Bologna (via Ravenna, Faenza, Imola) and finally by Piacenza.

Here is the route on the map:

When will Bologna's turn come?

The Tour de France will be on its way through Bologna on Sunday 30 June 2024. Here is the race schedule in Bologna's province (from letour.fr)

Where to see the Tour de France in Bologna?

The route of the second stage is expected to reach Bologna with the finishing line on Via Irnerio. No fewer than three stages are planned here due to the final circuit that will be covered. If you want to see the winner with arms raised or enjoy the ensuing final sprint, this is the right place to seize the moment. A big screen will also be installed in the finish area in Piazza 8 Agosto to allow the spectators to follow the race, as will the podium for the prize-giving ceremony.

Other highlights of this day's stage will certainly include some hilly slopes: whether at Imola or at Riolo Terme on the iconic Gallisterna climb (already the scene of great cycling feats with the World Championships won by Frenchman Alaphilippe in 2020), there will be plenty of suggestive crossing points, albeit not decisive for the race given their distance from the finish line.

With the peloton approaching Bologna, some beautiful vantage points are the short climb between Botteghino di Zocca and Pianoro (Via Donini), or the uphill stretch (2km) of Montecalvo, where some brave riders could try to gain the upper hand on the group. On entering the city, you may want to cheer along Via Mazzini, Via Saragozza, or in the involved stretches of the Viali (boulevards) to watch the race and have a wide view. 

Another important stage is the ascent to San Luca, known in cycling as the finish of the Giro dell'Emilia. Here, all along the world's longest portico, the most enthusiastic fans will be thronging, as this could be the decisive point of the route for the stage victory due to its gradients.

Where am I allowed to park? How can I find out about road closures and bus diversions?

Check the traffic, street closures, bus diversions, taxi and parking information on the official bolognatourdefrance.it website.

Disruptions in the city centre can be expected as early as the evening of Saturday 29 June.