In Valdera, preparations are underway for two professional classics valid for the Coppa Italia delle Regioni challenges and Memorial Alfredo Martini: these are the Giro della Toscana and Gran Premio Città di Peccioli – Coppa Giuseppe Sabatini. The two competitions are organized by the Unione Ciclistica Pecciolese, chaired by Luca Di Sandro.

The routes, the field of riders, curiosities and other aspects of the Giro della Toscana and Gran Premio di Peccioli – Coppa Sabatini will be unveiled to media, authorities, sponsors and enthusiasts on Friday, September 4th at Palazzo Senza Tempo, in the historic center of Peccioli (Pisa).

Luca Di Sandro, Gianluca Merlini and the other tireless members of the organizational staff have secured a godfather of great prestige for the presentation: Pavel Tonkov, a formidable climber and strong finisher, winner of the 1996 Giro d'Italia. Tonkov was born in Izhevsk, Russia, on February 9, 1969. His career is closely tied to Italy. On July 19, 1987, he became World Road Race Champion in the Junior category in Bergamo.

Pavel raced as a professional from April 1982 to 2005, and among his 36 victories (a number to which must also be added appearance fees), many concern Italian races. The protégé of the great bike builder Ernesto Colnago won the Giro d'Italia mainly thanks to his decisive victory in the Loano-Pratonevoso stage. In the pink race, Tonkov also achieved 3 stage wins in the 1997 edition, one in '98, one in 2002, and one in 2004.

Among prestigious stage races, Tonkov is the winner of the 1995 Tour de Suisse and the 1997 Giro di Romandia. He also triumphed in the 1992, 1996, and 1998 editions of the Settimana Bergamasca with professionals (later renamed Settimana Lombarda). Among his successes in classics, he boasts 2 victories at the Giro dell'Appennino.

Other guests and VIPs will speak at the presentation at Palazzo Senza Tempo, to be announced later. This year the Giro della Toscana will take place on Wednesday, September 9th, and the Coppa Sabatini on Thursday, September 10th.