The European para-cycling championships kick off today. The inaugural edition of the continental competition to be held in Italy will see the time trial titles awarded at Montereale Valcellina.

The opening day of the European championships, organized jointly by Cellina Bike and Fontanafredda Cycling Society as happened a year ago for the second World Cup event, has the athletics field in Montereale Valcellina as the start and finish venue. The race circuit measures 9.3 kilometers and winds through via dell'Omo, viale Stazione, via Stazione, via Diaz, piazza IV Novembre, via Malnisio, via Macor, via Matteotti, via Manzoni, piazza Trieste, via Risorgimento, via Volta, via Montenero, Largo Manin, via Ciotti, via Monte Spia, via Roma, Largo Duomo, piazza Roma, via Ciotti, via Stazione and via dell'Omo. The roads will be closed approximately from 8:40 to 13:15 and from 13:40 to 18:20.

A total of 278 athletes are registered for the European championships representing 29 different national teams. Much anticipated is the large Italian contingent led by technical commissioner Pierpaolo Addesi, who has called up 27 athletes. The first rider is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. On Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, the competition will move to Maniago for the road races with start and finish in piazza Italia where the athletes' village is located.

Until Monday, June 15, on the first floor of Maniago's municipal building in piazza Italia, it is possible to visit the photographic exhibition "Alex Forever. Beyond Time, Within Our Hearts" dedicated to the late Alex Zanardi during these hours: Friday 10-13, Saturday and Sunday 10-18, Monday 9-12:30 and 16:30-18. Free admission.