Tafi-WK ROAD CYCLING RACE 2013-Route by StepH

At the end of September 2010, Andrea Tafi was present at the Road World Championships in Cycling in Geelong, Australia, as a representative of the organizing committee from Florence. It was decided there that the World Championships would take place in the historical city of Florence in 2013! And for the first time in cycling history in the cycling-enthusiastic province of Tuscany!!

It is time to explore the local course designed by Andrea Tafi!

The riders will start on Sunday, September 29, 2013, in Lucca at the Piazza Grande and will then leave the city immediately through the historic Mura or Vauban fortifications. This will be followed by a “line ride” heading east along Collodi, the hometown of the fairytale character Pinocchio, which will also be the mascot of the World Championship. The route continues through the center of Montecatini Terme and its spas, up to Montecatini Alto, descending to Monsummano Terme, then through Larciano and Lamporecchio. Here begins the climb to the famous San Baronto. Descending to Casalguidi for a “tribute” to the late Italian national coach Franco Ballerini. Via the city of Pistoia and the Via Pistoiese, the riders will storm into Florence after 90 km.

At the Stadio Comunale Artemio Franchi (Fiorentina!), they will begin with the 11 local laps of 16.1 km, totaling 266 km.
More numbers: 59 km of climbing and 4500 meters of elevation!

In the local lap, there is a long ascent (4.8 km) and a short ascent (600 m).

The long panoramic climb leads towards Fiesole, the beautiful hill where many wealthy Florentines can afford a magnificent villa. Wide, well-paved roads lead upwards, never steep, but when reaching the Piazza of Fiesole, a little rest is welcome.

However, there will be no time for that in the competition, because they dive down right after the Campanile tower of the cathedral! The first piece is barely wide enough for a car. Soon after, it widens and you can gain speed without having to brake much in the wide turns.

But it’s time to catch a little breath, because we will take a right at the traffic light... literally! In this Via Salviati, you will encounter the “Berendries of Florence”... And those who know the Berendries in Michelbeke from the Ronde van Vlaanderen (who doesn't?), know that such a strong ascent with a “kink” can seriously sour the legs! Just follow the shortest way upwards: straight ahead!

The descent into Florence is a relief, especially now that you can also see the dome of the cathedral. A piece of city course points you towards the Via Paoli and its Stadio Artemio Franchi...

A great course and guaranteed to produce a worthy world champion!

PROGRAM:

Saturday, September 21
Opening ceremony in Lucca

Sunday, 22.
Women’s Team Time Trial from Pistoia 36 km
Men’s Team Time Trial from Montecatini 50 km

Monday, 23.
Time Trial for Junior Men and Elite Women from Florence Cascine 23 km

Tuesday, 24.
Time Trial for Women Juniors from Fir. Cascine 13.6 km
Time Trial U23 from Pistoia 36 km

Wednesday, 25.
Time Trial for Professionals from Montecatini 49.6 km

Friday, 27.
Men’s Juniors and Elite Women from Montecatini 130 km

Saturday, 28.
Women Juniors from Fir Casc 78 km
U23 from Montecatini 178 km

Sunday, 29.
Professionals from Lucca 267 km

It is noteworthy that the city of Florence will bring a new asphalt surface to all World Championship roads around the city starting in March 2013... and that includes about 50 km!
The official route for all competitions will be announced in the fall of 2012. But we can already say with certainty that all individual time trials will lead past the fantastic cathedral. Such a passage over the city cobblestones is not a given. The road races will also pass this once on the way to the final route. There will be fantastic images on television!