Innovation within tradition: this is how the 87th edition of the Giro dell'Appennino presents itself, taking place today with the start from Novi Ligure and the finish line located in the heart of Genoa.

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The 87th Giro dell'Appennino, valid as the Tarcisio Persegona Memorial - 33rd Liguria Region Trophy - 74th Grand Prix City of Genoa, Tre Colli Cup will follow the route of the last editions.  

The passage through Guardia is confirmed for the sixth consecutive year, following the success of crowds in previous editions. The start from Arquata Scrivia is also repeated, which has now enthusiastically "adopted" the U.S. Pontedecimo Ciclismo.  

A race of 196 kilometers with very demanding terrain and 2,898 meters of elevation gain. After the gathering at Arquata Scrivia, there will be a transfer to the Elah Dufour Novi plant where the official start will take place at 11:15. The Giro dell'Appennino never forgets its past: Km. 0 will be dedicated to Cav. Flavio Repetto, who for many years believed in the sporting and social value of the Giro dell'Appennino.  

After passing the Campionissimi Museum in Novi and Pasturana, venues of many gatherings in recent editions, the race will intensify. The Castagnola Pass after 55 km will be the first climb of the day. After Giovi and Crocetta d'Orero will come the decisive part of the race: first the hairpin turns along Bocchetta with gradients reaching 18%. Then at Pietralavezzara, riders will turn left to go, after the descent towards Isoverde, to tackle Guardia: gradients of 7 and 8% to reach the wall of 500 meters with gradients of 21% in the Lencisa area.  

A steep descent towards Genoa with passage under the San Giorgio Bridge, the Elevated Highway and then the grand finale on Corso Marconi with the finish expected around 4:15 PM. The kilometers in the Genoa metropolitan area are 141, equal to 71% of the total.  

Unfortunately, the Genoese classic must contend with an increasingly crowded calendar and truly significant scheduling conflicts: consider that today races are being held in Belgium, Turkey, Spain and France, just to mention the most important ones, and therefore it is easy to understand why there is not even a WorldTour team at the start of the Appennino and why almost all Development teams have made different choices. Of course, with all due respect to those racing today, a race of such prestige would deserve a much stronger field of competitors.