Curiosities, amusing anecdotes and a countdown to the 19th stage of the 109th Giro d'Italia which will conclude in Alleghe, at Piani di Pezzè: in a packed Don Tamis conference hall in Agordo, last night a lively talk show took place featuring Peter Sagan and Marzio Bruseghin, two great interpreters of recent cycling interviewed by journalist Ilario Tancon. The event, titled "Destination Alleghe - Piani di Pezzè: -30 to the dream" and organized by the Alleghe Stage Committee, took place exactly one month before the 19th stage of the 109th Giro d'Italia, which will see Alleghe, Piani di Pezzè, host on Friday, May 29th a historic finish and most likely a decisive one.

Enthusiasts and curious onlookers enjoyed a special evening, opened by the words of the mayor of Alleghe, Danilo De Toni: "This is an evening close to my heart, Alleghe has been waiting for a long time to be able to host a stage finish at Piani di Pezzè. The title of the evening is spot on '-30 to the dream': that which the citizens of Alleghe cherished and especially the many cycling enthusiasts, who are finally about to achieve. It is an important stage not only for the town but for the entire Belluno area, a great opportunity for visibility". The Belluno territory is preparing to welcome, in addition to the Giro d'Italia, also the Giro-E on May 29th from Agordo to Piani di Pezzè and the two stages of the Giro d'Italia Women, with the Belluno–Nevegal time trial on June 2nd and the Longarone–Santo Stefano di Cadore stage on June 3rd.

Also present at the evening were Alessio Cremonese, Executive President of Sportful accompanying Sagan and Bruseghin, and Roberto Padrin, former President of the Province of Belluno, one of the first to believe in and support the candidacy of the stage that will conclude in Alleghe.

After the institutional speeches, the conversation began with interesting questions from journalist Ilario Tancon, who pressed the two protagonists on their past, present and personal future and on the world of cycling. Peter Sagan, a champion capable of winning three consecutive world titles, 12 stage victories at the Tour de France and 2 at the Giro d'Italia, exchanged the microphone with witty remarks and curiosities with an equally engaging Marzio Bruseghin, Italian time trial champion, podium finisher in the 2008 Giro d'Italia and also an Italian national team member in seven World Championships, who with energy and enthusiasm had the opportunity to share his expectations regarding the 19th stage and in particular the finish in Alleghe, at Piani di Pezzè: "The Belluno Dolomites are a unique setting for cycling and sport. I believe it will be a decisive stage, the climb to Piani di Pezzè is a true ascent, where there will be great spectacle, after an already important approach. Pantani tackled it and won it as an amateur making the difference, so it means it will be special, that it is the right terrain to put on a show. I am confident that public participation will also be worthy of this event".

Sagan shares the same view, also emphasizing the importance of the stage in the calendar of the 109th Giro d'Italia: "It promises to be a fundamental and decisive stage, it seems really tough to me. There are 5,000 meters of elevation gain on a fairly short route, most likely it will be important for shaping the final classification and moreover it comes in the third week of the Giro d'Italia when the kilometers weigh heavily".

The 2026 Giro d'Italia starts on May 8th and will arrive in Alleghe, at Piani di Pezzè, on May 29th, for a stage entirely in the Belluno area that extends for 151 km and 5,000 meters of elevation gain along some of Italy's most iconic passes: in order Passo Duran, the Val di Zoldo with the climb to Coi di Zoldo, Passo Staulanza, Passo Giau (Cima Coppi of this year) and finally the Falzarego pass, which precedes the arrival of the pink caravan at Piani di Pezzè: the final stretch of 4.8 km and 472 meters of elevation gain that the public will be able to enjoy all at once by taking advantage of the Alleghe-Piani di Pezzè cable car, regularly open for the entire day.

Last night's talk show kicked off Alleghe's countdown to the pink race. There are numerous events and initiatives preparing to involve the territory and also younger people, such as the morning training session on road safety scheduled for May 15th in schools. On Saturday, May 23rd, a theatrical and musical show titled "W la fuga: Stories of bikes, notes in freedom and dreams on two wheels" will take place in Alleghe, a special story scheduled for 9 PM, created by the prestigious signature of sports journalism Marco Pastonesi, accompanied on stage by musician Alessandro D'Alessandro.

The countdown has just begun... all that's left is to live it to the fullest!