Balloons and pink flags are flying in the biodiversity park of Catanzaro, the area from which the fourth stage of the Giro d’Italia began this morning, the first on the national territory after the prologue. The pink race starts again from Calabria, in the Catanzaro – Cosenza stage.
Enthusiasm and participation
Great enthusiasm and very high public participation. The cycling race attracted enthusiasts but also simply curious people, families, children and the elderly to the park. The stands of the pink caravan have been set up in the green area where it is possible to have fun with games and entertainment.
Program and awards
At 11am the activities began with the presentation of the four official jerseys of the 109th edition of the Giro d’Italia. The teams’ signature sheet is expected to be opened around 12pm, with the signing of the lineups.
During the ceremony, the prizes for the second stage will also be awarded: Manuele Tarozzi of Bardiani will receive the awards for Gran Premio della Fuga and Traguardo Volante, Diego Pablo Sevilla of Team Polti those for Combattivity and Fantagiro, while Soudal Quick-Step will be awarded as best Superteam.
Presentation and departure
The 176 riders and their respective formations were presented on the Giro stage. Then they were placed along the starting lane with the four jerseys on their heads: the white, the blue, the cyclamen and the pink. Before the start the pink flag was handed over to the mayor of Catanzaro, Nicola Fiorita. Also present were the president of the Province Amedeo Mormile, the vice president of the regional council Filippo Mancuso, the prefect of Catanzaro Castrese De Rosa and the provincial commander of the carabinieri Giovanni Pellegrino.
The itinerary
The runners and the pink caravan traveled along the city streets, crossing Corso Mazzini, in the historic centre, and took the Bisantis viaduct before leaving the city and heading towards Cosenza, the arrival city of the stage, after 138 kilometres.