Preparations are underway for the 31st edition of the Memorial Michela and Giuliana Fanini-International Women's Giro della Toscana. The operational machinery of SC Michela Fanini, led by patron Brunello Fanini and his well-tested and dynamic team, has been in motion for months and is about to reach the finish line.

While awaiting the official presentation of the highly anticipated competition in the coming weeks, the stages scheduled are already known, all following a tried and tested and successful tradition.

The first stage on August 27 in Chiesina Uzzanese, an individual time trial of 2 km, which will be followed the next day by the Serravalle Pistoiese-Quarrata stage of 112 km. The third stage of 116 km on August 29, entirely in Lucca territory at Segromigno in Piano and finally, Sunday August 30, the now customary stage from the heart of Lucca to Montecatini Terme, for a total of 146 km.

A highly spectacular route, not difficult but very valid from a technical standpoint. The competitors will pass through historic places of great sporting significance, such as the Rocca di Castruccio Castracani in Serravalle Pistoiese, or the village where Franco Ballerini lived, Cantagrillo. A great celebration that will involve cyclists from all over the world, rewarding the commitment of the interested municipal administrations—Chiesina Uzzanese, Serravalle Pistoiese, Quarrata, Capannori, Lucca, and Montecatini Terme—which have once again strongly wanted to support this great women's event with enthusiasm, the most important in Italy. It is worth noting that precious prizes created by the young people of MAIC (Maria Assunta In Cielo) of Pistoia, young people with disabilities from the Pistoia Rehabilitation Center-Art and Crafts Laboratory, will be awarded.

A moment of heartfelt remembrance is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, before the start of the third stage, in the small church of Segromigno in Piano, where Michela and Giuliana Fanini, the two unforgettable women of patron Brunello Fanini, will be remembered. The 30th edition of the race was won by Dutch cyclist Eline Jansen, the true dominant force last year.

But who was the young champion of the Fanini family? Michela Fanini was the beloved daughter of patron Brunello Fanini. Born in Lucca on March 23, 1973, she took up cycling at a very young age, unable and unwilling to escape the great enthusiasm for this sport demonstrated by her entire family—father, mother, grandparents, cousins, and uncles. With an extroverted, sunny, and determined character, successes came abundantly already in the youth categories. Moving to the Elite category, Michela immediately won the Italian championship in 1992, then a stage at the women's Tour and one at the Giro in 1993, before her apotheosis in 1994, with victory at the Giro d'Italia plus a stage win and three stages at the Tour de France. On August 27, there was a premonition: at the women's World Championship in Capo d'Orlando, Sicily, Michela fell heavily and only her helmet saved her life. Just one month later, on October 26, on a rainy and gray day, she lost control of her Peugeot 205 and lost her life in the Capannori area, not far from home.