Because it's the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, always 24 hours, but with more light, more strength, more energy. Because we start before dawn even if dawn is early and we arrive after sunset even if sunset is late. Because we go from Cesenatico to Tirrenia, from the Adriatic to the Tyrrhenian, from east to west, from coast to coast. Because you can ride alone or in teams, but in this case in relay, just as cycling is an individual sport but also a team sport, or a team sport that is individual, there's the mystery explained. Because we know that sooner or later, hoping it's later, a crisis or at least a half-crisis or a tiny crisis will come. Because the crisis (even the half-crisis, but not the tiny crisis) is always a moment of growth, a look in the mirror, a self-examination. Because we don't know what to call it, "pedaling" is too little, granfondo is something else, randonée too, not a race because it isn't and never will be, marathon is done on foot (except for the Dolomites), to the point that organizers can't find Italian words and rely on English, "it's a ride, not a race!" even with an exclamation point, and then explain that it's a cycling festival (and anyway "Chase The Sun", in English, means chase the sun, and it's a beautiful name), definitely a "ride" and not a "raid". Because you need legs, but also head, you need energy, but also courage, you need endurance, but also trust. Because those kilometers are usually done in a week. Because it will serve to believe more in yourself and because it will also serve to respect yourself more. Because once in a lifetime - and the Latins used to say this - going crazy is allowed. Because if you don't do it this time, you'll never do it. Because the important thing is the first pedal stroke, the others will follow. Because one plus one plus one plus one plus... one at a time... in the end they'll be two hundred and eighty. Because we don't know if the number 280 or the word two hundred and eighty is more impressive, but it doesn't matter, 280/two hundred and eighty kilometers remain (plus 2500 meters of elevation gain). Because not all kilometers are the same, there are small kilometers and big kilometers, but all are made of a thousand meters (the same reasoning applies to elevation meters). Because professionals don't go from the Adriatic to the Tyrrhenian but from the Tyrrhenian to the Adriatic with the Tirreno-Adriatico, and it's not the same thing, and it always depends on the wind, the bicycle is wind. Because sooner or later, as already happened with Eroica becoming Strade Bianche, even professionals will want it and do it. Because you can say anything, but not that I, you, he, she didn't want the bicycle. Because those who did it, did it. Because those who did it say they're enthusiastic, if not happy. Because those who did it rarely arrived exhausted.

Once, at least once in life, you'll have to do the Chase The Sun.

Instructions for use: Chase The Sun 2026 will be held on Saturday, June 20, registrations are already open; the relay race is for teams composed of three or four people, with the constraint of at least one woman in each team and with the support of a follow car. The car will be driven in turns by one of the relay team members. The team members in the car must assist their teammates and be available, if requested or necessary, to assist all participants. The team must present itself at the start and finish complete. Team registration must be done in a single solution by the team leader. Registration fee for each team member: 200 euros.

For more information and team registration, write to turbolento.net. Cyclists registered for the 2026 year (Fci and recognized entities) and with suitable medical certification for competitive cycling can participate; and unregistered cyclists as long as they have suitable medical certification for competitive cycling, or with high cardiovascular commitment for regions where without registration it is not possible to obtain competitive medical certification, medical certificate without stress ECG is not accepted. Oh, I forgot: you can also participate with e-bikes.