Milano Torino 2017 presented by NamedSport

Milano-Torino, the oldest classic of worldwide cycling, is back for its 98th edition, recalling vivid thoughts and memories as it celebrates its 141 years of history. Date of birth: 25 May 1876, 15 years after the Unification of Italy, and 33 years before the Giro d’Italia. So let us browse the vintage picture gallery of that first race, in the year marking the 200th anniversary of the bicycle. Eight pioneers set off
astride their old-time velocipedes, and only half of them arrived in Turin, cheered and saluted by ten thousand people.
Paolo Magretti, born and raised in Milan, a student of the famous Liceo Parini, a naturalist and an explorer, renowned for his zoology and entomology studies, crossed the finish line first, after spending eleven hours riding – at an average speed of 13.3 km/h – to cover 150 km between the two cities that were to become a symbol of industrial development and the drivers of Italy.
The route takes a long ride across the plains of Lombardy and Piedmont, from Milan to Turin, starting in Sesto Ulteriano (south of Milan) and cutting across the route of Milano-Sanremo in Binasco. The course then runs past Vigevano and the bridge spanning River Ticino, and then through Mortara, Lomellina and Casale Monferrato, where the route becomes wavier as the race approaches Turin, coming
from south-east. The route then reaches Corso Casale and the Fausto Coppi velodrome (previously the venue of a number of finishes for this classic), and climbs all the way up to Superga, twice.
A legendary place for worldwide #sport but also a place of mourning, Superga is synonymous with “Grande Torino”, and Grande #torino brings back the memory of Fausto Coppi, who was a huge fan of Valentino Mazzola, Bacigalupo and Ballarin. It is wonderful to see that this harsh climb has permanently become the climax of the race organised by Rcs Sport/Gazzetta dello #sport. Here, cycling enthusiasts can look at riders in the face, and hear them gasping for air as they climb up the steep slopes, with 15% gradients piercing and stabbing through their muscles. Five kilometres, overall, to be covered twice: first at km 166 and then 20 kilometres later.
Superga is the perfect stage for this autumn classic – 141 years old, yet young at heart.

More information on the press release