THE REAL HISTORY
Gran Fondo Riccione
The history of Riccione’s Gran Fondo
The event was born in 1999 from Valeriano Pesaresi’s intuition (Eurobike Riccione), in many respects the forerunner and pioneer of an amateur cycle movement aimed at challenging undertakings over long distances. Over the years it has managed to establish itself, becoming a classic and important appointment in a “Gran Fondo” calendar that was destined to become increasingly saturated with events that were not always of an adequate organisational level, sometimes managed by improvised figures or adventurers passing through.
For over twenty years, the Eurobike Riccione Sports Association has been at the forefront in organising an event that puts seriousness and a strong bond with the territory and its institutions at the forefront.
The Project
From a constructive dialogue with the territory’s institutions a project was born and consolidated, a successful “product” built by and for the territory.
Just a quick glance at the route’s outline is enough to realize the project’s vastness; the Gran Fondo Riccione involves the entire hinterland and will reach the Republic of San Marino and some municipalities bordering the Marche region.
Starting from Riccione, the competitors will head towards Coriano and will soon go through the Republic of San Marino, Montegrimano Terme, Sassofeltrio and Monte Cerignone. Next they’ll be going through Pesaro’s province: Macerata Feltria, Sassocorvaro and Auditore, Montecalvo in Foglia and finally going back to Romagna with Mondaino, Saludecio, Morciano di Romagna, San Clemente and Misano Adriatico.
Youth Team
The Gran Fondo Riccione is not just a race or a day of celebration and sport built for ‘mature’ and seasoned cyclists; the Gran Fondo Riccione is also a source of sustenance for a sporting project of a higher calibre, a project aimed at young people.
Since 2017 Eurobike Riccione has been looking after a youth team where a dozen young promising cyclists (15 – 16 years old) find a reference point and guidance for their maturation, not only as future athletes but as future People, an important concept and cornerstone of the training philosophy imprinted by the founder and ‘Patron’ of the team, Valeriano Pesaresi.