Category: Bicycle Tourism

When you think of Italy, Rome, Florence, Venice, or even Milan may come to mind. But if you’re visiting the country as a tourist, you may not know about the Piedmont region in the northwest part of Italy.

This area is known as the country’s famed wine-producing region and as the place where the “slow food” movement began, specializing in white truffles, chocolate and hazelnuts (think Nutella), and rice and cheese dishes like risotto. Additionally, Turin (also part of the Piedmont region) served as Italy’s first capital from 1861 to 1865.

But if you’re a cyclist, you may be interested to know that the Piedmont region, specifically the town of Cuneo, plays host to one of the most prestigious events in road cycling, the Granfondo La Fausto Coppi. Are you surprised you’ve never heard of it? Don’t be because many cyclists don’t know about it.

About the Granfondo Fausto Coppi

The name of this granfondo comes from Angelo Fausto Coppi, a professional bicycle racer. He was nicknamed Campionissimo in Italian (champion of champions) for his many victories on the bike.

Coppi won the Giro d’Italia five times, the Tour de France twice, Giro di Lombardia five times, the Milan–San Remo three times, … Paris–Roubaix and La Flèche Wallonne and [for] setting the hour record (45.798 km) in 1942. Tragically, while on a vacation in 1960, Coppi contracted malaria and died. He was only 40 at the time.

The Granfondo Fausto Coppi honors the champion’s memory and the place where he was born as it is held in Cuneo, Italy in the Piedmont region. It is a race and a non-competitive event held in June. Started in 1989, the 37th edition of this event will occur this year.

Routes for the Granfondo Fausto Coppi

Both the race and the event start in Cuneo, IT, at the foot of the Alps. In addition to stunning scenery, this granfondo features several epic climbs. There are three routes that cyclists can choose from, two of which are part of the race.

The two race routes are the Gran Fondo that last year featured 172 kilometers (106 miles) with 4,300 meters (14107.61 feet) of elevation gain. The second route is the Mediofondo (Middle Football in English), which is 111 kilometers (68 miles) with 2,500 meters (8202.1) of elevation gain.

The last route, which is not part of the race and is considered a non-competitive event, is the Fauneria Classic. This route focuses on the climb up Colle Fauniera road, which is 2, 481 meters (1578.08 feet). This route is for those cyclists not interested in the race but who want to experience the scenery, and then the technical descent back to Cuneo.

Registration, Cost, and Inclusions for The Granfondo Fausto Coppi

The Granfondo Fausto Coppi is a popular event every year and draws participants from all over the world. For that reason, the organizers have limited the number of riders to 3,000.

Registration is 50 euros (roughly $60.00) for the first 500 cyclists. 65 euros ($75.00) for riders until March 31. 75.00 euros ($87.00) from 1 April to 23 June. However, the later you wait, the less availability. With your registration, the following items are included:

• Event jersey to wear during the race
• Race pack with gifts from the sponsors
• Personalized race number
• 6 refreshments on the Granfondo route
• 4 refreshments on the Mediofondo route
• 3 refreshments on the Fauniera Classic route
• Mechanical assistance on the route (3 points)
• Vehicles for the recovery of participants who abandon the race
• Refreshments upon arrival
• Commemorative medal of the event

Your registration also includes an event t-shirt.

Last Thoughts

Whether you’ve heard of this event or not, the Grandfondo Fausto Coppi sounds like a challenging ride that offers amazing scenery and epic climbs with thousands of participants. Is this a bucket list event? Maybe so. If you can survive the ride, I’m sure it will give you some bragging rights amongst your cycling friends or at your local bike shop.

But even if you choose not to ride in the race but just do the climb up Fauniera road, you’ll have something in your cycling vault to remember, as most obviously, this will test your cycling mettle. So, sign up soon, book your flight, and get over to Italy and do this ride on closed roads with lots of support along the way and, most likely, some incredible Italian food and wine afterward.