Roberto Portunato, patron of Velo Val Fontanabuona and tireless organizer of many events, can finally make the official announcement: the 60th edition of the Milan - Rapallo scheduled for Saturday, September 20th, has obtained UCI registration in the international calendar 1.2.

"As in the previous year, the race was in the national calendar - explains Portunato - but due to numerous requests from foreign teams eager to participate, we decided to make a quality leap, the best way to celebrate the 60th edition".

The race reserved for elite and under 23 categories will take place on Saturday, September 20th with an unofficial start from Albairate (MI) at 12. The start after ten kilometers of transfer from Ozzero (MI). The route is the classic one crossing the provinces of Milan, Pavia, and Alessandria. The difficulties are concentrated in the final. After Busalla, the riders will reach the Scoffera pass (1st GPM), then enter Val Fontanabuona through the Ferriere tunnel. Here is the first novelty compared to the past edition, as it includes crossing Lumarzo that leads to Calcinara di Uscio (2nd GPM) and Colle Caprile. They will then descend towards the sea, with a dive into Recco. The last difficulty of the day is the Ruta climb (3rd GPM) which, as happened last year, will be decisive in determining who will be able to compete for victory on Vittorio Veneto seafront in Rapallo after 180 kilometers of racing.

"Numerous contacts are already underway with professional teams from both Italy and abroad - explains Portunato - thanks to internationality, the Milan - Rapallo becomes one of the main sporting events in the Liguria Region, which this year is the European Capital of Sport, with Tigullio becoming a protagonist of great cycling".

The organizers are also working to prepare a series of collateral initiatives. Contacts are ongoing to have Francesco Moser at the finish line, winner of the Milan - Rapallo in 1972 ahead of Gianbattista Baronchelli and Serge Parsani.

Soon the mascot of Velo Val Fontanabuona, "Basilik", will also be presented, which aims to promote pesto, the typical Ligurian condiment. If the Tour de France has the lion as its symbol, Velo Val Fontanabuona will propose "Basilik" this year.

In the photo: Honorable Roberto Bagnasco, Francesco Moser, and Roberto Portunato