Emilia Romagna & Yunnan join forces in cycling tourism

As part of a new collaboration between Yunnan Province and the region Emilia-Romagna in Italy, we are excited that the 50th edition of one of Europe's oldest and most popular granfondo events is now a partner event of ours. We are very glad to announce that the winner of 2019 colourful Yunnan Granfondo Cycling Festival will get a free entry to the 2020 edition of... Le Nove Colli !

Le Nove Colli is one of Italy’s most famous and oldest cycling sportives. Described by the organizers as “the most passionate Granfondo in the world”, the event is held annually in the beautiful port town of Cesenatico on the Adriatic Cost. 

Apart from the rich history, warm local support and fantastic setting, it is the challenging route that attracts thousands of cyclists from all over the world to this truly Italian affair. Literally translated, Nove Colli means Nine Hills, which gives a big clue to what the route profile will look like. 

In 2015, 10,000 riders registered in just 18 minutes, which is unseen in the world of cycling. Further 2,000 places are usually offered in a race number + hotel package, which also sells out very quickly. As huge the event may be today, it also started very modestly with about two dozen riders for the first edition in 1971... 

As in any cycling sportive, which involves a lot of climbing, pacing is the key to having a good ride and enjoying the event. Le Nove Colli in Cesenatico is 205 km long with 3840 hm and full of cycling history. Cesenatico is roughly between Bologna and Rimini, and is the home of mourned "PIrata" Marco Pantani, the last rider who won the magic Giro-Tour double in 1998. The first couple of climbs should be seen as a warm up before the going gets tough at Barbotto and Monte Tiffi. Perticara and Monte Pugliano, the highest point of the route, are quite long and a real endurance test. Gorolo, the final climbed reached after 170km and over 3500m of climbing with its maximum gradient of 17%, is a lot harder than you can actually imagine.

The 2020 event of Le Nove Colli takes place on 24 May . If you love Gran Fondos then Nove Colli is a must do! Here is the website link for more detail: WWW.NOVECOLLI.IT

 Granfondo Squali another very popular event in Emilia-Romagna the weekend before Le Nove Colli. This one takes place in Cattolica and has none other than Vincenzo Nibali as patron. Stay tuned for special travel packages to both these events and sightseeing options. Note that this is the period also of the Giro d' Italia. In 2020, the Giro will pass through the region and do the course of the Nove Colli as a proper stage out of respect for the event's cycling heritage. 

 To promote the pending collaboration, none other than Italy's national team coach, RAI commentator and former professional rider Davide Cassani will come to Granfondo Yunnan and is set to take part in all stages! Cassani is also the Chairman of Emilia-Romagna Tourism.