Italy’s Marche Region launches 2nd edition of 5 Mille Marche cycling festival this October
International cyclists and their families will enjoy three days of cycling at the seaside resort of Porto Recanati in the Marche Region on the Italian Adriatic coast this October 14-16 2022, part of the International Gran Fondo World Tour® Series
On Monday June 27th members of the Regione Marche and race organizer Andrea Tonti and CEO of the Granfondo World Tour Dani Buyo, attended the official press conference launching the 2nd edition of the 5 Mille Marche cycling festival in Sala Raffaello, Italy.
Francesco Acquaroli, president of the Marche Region kick-started proceedings, with presentations from Guido Castelli, Elena Leonardi and event organizer Andrea Tonti. CEO of the GFWT Dani Buyo commented “the 5 Mille Marche is a unique Italian round of the Gran Fondo World Tour circuit, one of the most important circuits globally, which will no doubt will continue to increase attention from cyclists and their families from around the world. The Marche region is now firmly on the International cycling map.”
Taking place October 14-16, 2022 the Gran Fondo 5 Mille Marche is project of the Marche Region promoting the territory and national and international cycle tourism, one of Italy’s lesser known real cycling gems.
The inaugural edition in 2021 attracted well over 2,000 cyclists and their families to participate in cycling activities with a special gala dinner and a LIVE music concert.
Italian cycling legend Vincenzo Nibali, regularly visits in the and stated last year "The Marche region is my favorite place to train, it is a lesser known region to cycle through, a real cycling gem in Italian cycling. The scenery is stunning, you can ride from sea level to over 1,400m on the quietest roads. It’s heaven on earth for cycling. It’s a shame the cat is now out of the bag! Now cyclists and their families from around the world can enjoy it. It’s the sort of place you’ll come to again and again and keep it a secret from your friends!
Le Marche is known for its stunning landscapes, history, artistic heritage, and coast, an eastern Italian region, sits between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea. Ancona, its capital, is a port city on the Riviera del Conero, an area with sandy coves, limestone cliffs and medieval villages. Pesaro is the birthplace of renowned opera composer Rossini. The interior has countryside dotted with fortified hilltop settlements and the glaciated valleys of the Monti Sibillini National Park.
Experience three days of cycling celebration in Porto Recanati, a beautiful seaside resort for relaxing summer holidays, where you can breathe a particular atmosphere of tranquillity, ideal for families and children too.
In true Italian flair, the event is specifically caters for cycling families who all want to spend a traditional long weekend celebrating cycling.
For Mum’s and Dad’s looking for a tougher challenge there’s the 250km 5 Mila Randonne with 5,300m of climbing (hence the name 5 Thousand) which includes two fierce Hors category climbs, the pass of Santa Maria Maddalena at an altitude of 1,445m and the Monte San Vicino at an altitude of 1,213m. The 5 Mila Rando is considered to one of the toughest Randonnèes in all of Italy and southern Europe.
For mere mortals there’s the Medio Fondo is 80km long with 1,300m of climbing from sea level in Porto Recanati up into the breath-taking hills which are perfect for cycling, stunningly beautiful, quiet roads with steady gradients of up to 8%.
There’s the Gran Fondo too, which is 120km with 1,900m of climbing and follows the same route as the Medio Fondo with the addition of more climbs and you will face a stretch of about 1 km with gradients of up to 15%.
For children and families, the festival village in Piazza Brancondi in Porto Recanati hosts a Family cycle ride of 10 km to discover the splendid Monte Conero and its coast, complete with a food and wine aid station.
On Saturday afternoon, children of all ages can take part in a Mini 5Mila with skills and sprint tests, while in the evening there is a gala dinner with special guests, last year the special guest was no other than Italian cycling legend Vincenzo Nibali, two-times winner of the Giro d'Italia, winner of the Tour de France and La Vuelta, two Italian championships, Milan - Sanremo and two times winner of Tirreno Adriatico.
After the special gala dinner there is a live music festival in Piazza Brancondi with one of Italy’s top DJ’s.
Don't miss the chance to participate in the biggest events at the end of the cycling season.
By participating in the events of the series, riders will collect points for the GRAN FONDO WORLD TOUR® world ranking system. The ranking is open to all cyclists, regardless of their level of preparation.
For more information on the region, accommodation, getting there, things to do and see and the cycling festival, please visit: https://www.5milamarche.com or click the button below to register for the Granfondo now:
