The organizational machinery is ready. On Sunday, June 7, Valmarecchia will host the 54th Peace Cup – 51st Fratelli Anelli Trophy, an international road cycling event for Under 23 riders valid for the UCI Europe Tour, organized by Pedale Riminese and Polisportiva Sant'Ermete with the support of the Anelli family.

28 teams have confirmed their participation, of which 20 Italian and 8 foreign, ready to compete on the traditional and selective Peace Cup course, one of the longest-running and most prestigious classics on the international Under 23 calendar.

Over the years, the Romagna race has established itself as an important testing ground for young talents destined for professional cycling. A roll of honor that continues to grow and confirms the race's ability to anticipate the future of international cycling.

The 2026 edition will feature the course introduced last year: a total distance of approximately 174 kilometers, with ten passages on the circuit that includes the San Paolo Mountain Grand Prix and the subsequent technical descent towards the Marecchiese road. Two passages instead in the valley section between Santarcangelo di Romagna, Verucchio and Poggio Torriana. A demanding and selective course, capable of showcasing riders with different characteristics and offering a year after year an open and difficult race to interpret.

In 2025, Diego Bracalente (MBH Bank Ballan CSB) prevailed, executing the decisive attack on the final climb. Behind him were Paul Fietzke (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe Rookies) and Kevin Biehl (General Store Essegibi F.lli Curia), protagonist of a long breakaway that animated the race for over 150 kilometers.

Among the registered teams are General Store Essegibi F.lli Curia, Biesse Carrera Premac, Beltrami TSA Tre Colli, MG.K VIS Costruzioni e Ambiente Colour for Peace, Padovani Polo Cherry Bank, Tecnipes #InEmiliaRomagna, Trevigiani Energia Pura Marchiol, Campana Imballaggi Morbiato Trentino, Solme Olmo, Vega Vitalcare Dynatec, Rostese, Aran Cucine Vejus, Biotraining, Futura Team, Gallina Lucchini Colosio, Hopplà, Sissio Team, Velo Club Avezzano Bike Linea Oro, VPM Moretti and XPC Beltrami TSA La Risorsa Umana.

International cycling will be represented by Factor Racing (Slovenia), Hagens Berman Jayco and St. Kilda Cycling Club (Australia), Skyline (USA), Sistecredito de Colombia (Colombia), Tirol KTM (Austria), XDS Astana Development Team (Azerbaijan) and V.C. Mendrisio (Switzerland).

Particularly significant is the presence of Aran Cucine Vejus, a team that has participated in all editions of the Peace Cup, testament to a consolidated bond with the event and the territory.

In addition to the 51st Fratelli Anelli Trophy, awarded to the overall winner, the race will award the Dini Trophy, the Golden Cap, the Bruno Anelli Trophy reserved for the intermediate sprint classification and the Gino Mondaini Trophy dedicated to the mountain classification. The event is also valid as the Fabio Casartelli Memorial.

Race direction will be entrusted to Stefano Ronchi, assisted by Raffaele Babini and Nicola Dalmonte. Presiding over the international jury will be Norwegian UCI commissaire Morten Messelt, supported by Valeria Laguzzi, Nicola Borghi, Stefano Sabbadini, Nicola Orazio and Elisa Dabbene.

The official start will be given, as is tradition, at 1:30 PM from the forecourt of F.lli Anelli company in Sant'Ermete. Enthusiasts will be able to follow the race along the course or watch the final phase thanks to the live broadcast scheduled from 3:50 PM on Icaro TV (channel 18), Icaro Play, on the Peace Cup Facebook page and on the Toscana Sprint YouTube channel.

Just a few more days and Valmarecchia will once again welcome the best of international Under 23 cycling, confirming a tradition that for over half a century has linked the territory to one of the most important races in the European amateur cycling landscape.