Today is the big day, the province of Lecco is preparing to welcome the 18th stage of the Giro d'Italia that will start from Morbegno and end in Cesano Maderno. These 144 km could offer great surprises and will have their pulsing heart in the province of Lecco. There is palpable emotion in the air, especially from those ready to welcome the pink race, as is the case with Alessandra Hofmann, provincial president and mayor of Monticello Brianza, one of the municipalities the race will pass through. A long-time passage point for many cyclists, the small Brianza village was home to the Flanders Lion Fiorenzo Magni for a long time and also hosted a stage finish in 2002.

«Our welcome for the eighteenth Giro stage began yesterday in Bormio with the Lombard provinces union assembly, and I can say we can't wait to welcome the pink race - Alessandra Hofmann told tuttobiciweb - the Giro d'Italia is a special event that truly involves everyone. The mayors of the municipalities that will be crossed are all particularly excited and are trying to prepare at their best, knowing that it is a very important promotional vehicle, a unique opportunity. I believe the pink race is something magical that can unite the entire province, and even all of Italy for a day»

Some key points of the race are positioned precisely in the Lecco province such as the mountain passes of Perlasco, Colle Balisio and Ravellino, the flying finishes of Primaluna and Galbiate, and the Red Bull Km positioned in Sirtori. «The Lecco province likes to be a protagonist, we have welcomed the Giro d'Italia multiple times and we always do so with great pride. Every day our territory is crossed by many professional cyclists, over the years we have produced many champions and continue to do so - said Alessandra Hofmann to tuttobiciweb, particularly excited about the Giro's passage - seeing the Giro pass by is a great emotion and I personally experience it deeply because at my home cycling is discussed daily. It is a sport of determination, effort and sacrifice, a great vehicle for educating our young people.»

From Alessandra Hofmann comes a big good luck to all the cyclists in the group, but with particular attention to Simone Petilli, the true local athlete. «I wish good luck to everyone, I know they will not fail to offer a great show, but of course we will all cheer particularly for Simone Petilli. Today he will cross a territory he knows very well and often trains in, I am sure it will be a special emotion for him.»