The 25th edition of retro bike event L’Eroica is expecting more than 9,000 participants in Gaiole, Chianti, in Tuscany. The vintage bike race in Italy is expecting around 4,000 international riders, joining around 5,000 Italian participants, on October 1-2, 2022.
Giancarlo Brocci, founder of the event, noted that, from an original 92 riders in 1997, L’Eroica has come a long way. He said, “92 is now multiplied by 100. Although, the deep soul of L’Eroica has not changed.
“The event has come a long way by staying true to itself, involving ever more people thanks to the values we share. More and more people are attracted to this event which combines the passion for a great sport with the creation of joy and friendship, attention to the environment, respect for others and sharing of emotions.”
He continued, “I believe that the idea of L’Eroica, above all, represents a truly global need to regain possession of the deep soul of a sport, especially a great sport such as cycling. The general perception is that sport is nothing more than the production of a show serving an increasingly elephantine and exasperated business that is powered by large sponsors and TV rights. We are giving cycling back to the people.
“Cycling today is a worldwide practice, even though its history up to half a century ago was written mainly in Italy, France, Belgium and not far beyond. Today Gaiole in Chianti offers an unmissable opportunity to get together inside a magic spell that produces effects that last all year.
“I feel much closer to some of the great interpreters of today’s cycling, young men who try to enjoy cycling despite experiencing it at the highest levels, within mechanisms that tend to make them act out a script.
“I’m thinking of Pogacar, Van der Poel, Alaphilippe, Van Aert, I think they are heroic in their souls. I do not think it is a coincidence that they are among the most recent winners of my Eroica Pro, or Strade Bianche as it’s known today.”
