One week to go until the second edition of GeoGravel Tuscany, the event brought to us by Paolo Bettini on the Strade Grigie of the Metalliferous Hills between Chianti and the Etruscan Coast.
An event that was already a great success at its debut last year, with great guests exploring the incredible territory of Tuscan geothermal energy.
On the first weekend of June, Pomarance will welcome old and new friends for a weekend of sport, partying and sharing, where everyone who registers will be able to experience the unique sensation of pedalling with the biggest names that have made cycling history, and not only.
One of those big names is certainly Johan Museeuw, winner of three Paris-Roubaix and three Tours of Flanders, achievements that earned him the nickname 'Lion of Flanders'.
Another big name set to start is Daniele Bennati. Now coach of the Italian national team, Daniele has won three stages of the Giro d'Italia, two of the Tour de France (including the coveted final stage finishing on the Champs-Élysées) and six of the Vuelta a España.
Giovanni Visconti, three-time Italian road champion and winner of two stages of the Giro d'Italia, is also confirmed.
Finally, Marco Bandiera, now a friend of GeoGravel Tuscany, completes the list of "exes".
As far as non-cycling names are concerned, Paolo Kessisoglu will return to Pomarance; the famous actor, presenter and comedian has been a passionate cycling fan for years and after discovering the beauty of the geothermal country in 2023, he was keen to be back this year.
Dulcis in fundo, as already announced, the great Saturnino, Jovanotti's historic bass player, will be lighting up the Piazzone on Saturday 1st June with his musical stylings.
But it is far from certain that, between now and the end of May, other big names won't be added to those already announced for the start of the second edition of GeoGravel Tuscany. We'll just have to wait and see!
GeoGravel Tuscany is more than just a two-day sporting event, it is a real gravel festival to discover the Colline Metallifere and Tuscan geothermal energy. The event will begin on Friday 31st May in the afternoon with the inauguration of the GeoVillage in the "Piazzone", a beautiful area near the centre of Pomarance (PI) that will host the GeoFestival, the heart of the whole event, where the evening concerts will take place and where local food and wine stalls and speciality shops will be set up. This is also the starting point for the various rides scheduled for Saturday 1st June (ultra route) and Sunday 2nd June (long, medium and short routes)