Articolo disponibile anche in: Italian
The 2015 edition of the “Granfondo del Gallo Nero” was a great success with more than 700 participants from a variety of nations; a sports challenge fought until the last meter, when participants got off their saddles and teams and languages mixed.
Once again, in 2016 (start on Sunday September 18 at 9am from Radda in Chianti gardens), the race will not lose the spirit with which it was born four years ago, giving homage to the hills among which the race wind.
This year the appointment helps celebrate the 300 years of Chianti Classico wine. In fact, in 1716, the grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo lll, issued a proclamation which outlined the wine making zone of the Black Rooster wine.
Gallo Nero was recognized for its excellence and thus merited a legal acknowledgment. In this manner, the Chianti Classico Territory was born. Its wines are still considered among the best oenological products of Italy by international critics.
Possibly because of the precocious acknowledgment, possibly thanks to attentive Chianti dwellers, the protection of the area was effective. Today, Chianti is a land of vineyards, but also of thick woods and extensive meadows.
Thanks to its uniqueness and beauty, this spring it hosted the ninth stage of the Giro d’Italia, which brought the greatest cyclists of the moment to the Gallo Nero Territory for a duel on two wheels, the individual timed race, the Chianti Classico Stage.
The new itinerary of the Granfondo del Gallo Nero is tied to this memorable event, retracing the path from Radda in Chianti to Castellina in Chianti, in the first part of the race.
The first ring of the Granfondo del Gallo Nero, the same for the longer itinerary and the medium itinerary, presents a more difficult challenge in respect to the last edition. The length is more or less the same, 83 km, the altimetry has a total difference in level of 1400 meters, with its passage along the Pass of Monte Luco.
For the longer itinerary, 140 km with a difference in level of 2500 meters, the traditional climb of the Morellino remains the same, with sections that reach a slope of over 15%.
This year’s “Pedalata” along Gallo Nero is dedicated to cycle lovers. It is a self-managed course that winds through the towns of Radda in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga and Gaiole in Chianti.
It proposes three stops in three places which are historic for Gallo Nero wine: the Borgo di Fonterutoli, where the horsemen of the legendary medieval Gallo Nero used to meet, the Castello di Brolio, where, thanks to Baron Bettino Ricasoli, the modern Chianti Classico was born, and Radda in Chianti, historic site of the Consortium, created in 1924.
As always, the emblem of the Granfondo del Gallo Nero is the jersey: it is a limited edition, reserved to the first 500 registered. It was designed by Francesco Bruni, local Chianti artist, in order to celebrate the 300 years of Gallo Nero.
All those who register are guaranteed the traditional technical jersey of the race, created by Sportful. Among the most distinctive notes of the event, we remind you that refreshments are served at the arrival at the Village, set up in the gardens of Radda in Chianti.
There will be an excellent gastronomic buffet with DOP and IGP Italian products, accompanied by Chianti Classico wine served in glass goblets. The “Riffa del Gallo Nero”, which will take place during the prize awards ceremony at the Village is new for this year.
There will be a random drawing of 100 prizes to be won among all those registered by September 15.