It was announced yesterday by the RCS (publishers of the Gazzetta Dello Sport and the organizers of the Giro and other major Italian bike races) that the pro race version of the Eroica will switch from the fall to the spring and that in fact the Eroica will therefore become one of the first 'dates' of the pro cycling calendar. After its successful debut in October, it will be held for the second time on March 8th, 2008 and represents the ideal launchng board for the Tirreno Adriatico stage race that takes place from March 12-18.
The RCS is highlighting the tough climbs, as well as the unpaved 'strade bianche' by comparing them respectively to those found in the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders in Belgium) and the Paris Roubaix. As last year, the race will leave Gaiole in Chianti and finish in Siena, in the historical Piazza del Campo, for a total of 180 km, of which a good part on unpaved roads over the Sienese hills. The race will take place on the date originally foreseen for the Milan-Turin. The Milan-Turin would then be rescheduled in the fall as a type of prologue for the Giro di Lombardia. This should allow both races to attract more top ranked riders. Some of the pros that have already accepted the challenge are Alessandro Ballan, Daniele Bennari, teh World and Olympic champion Paolo Bettini and Filippo Pozzato.
This should not have any effect on the fall date of the Eroica vintage bike event.
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Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ, USA