The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the salty sea air, a familiar scent that has welcomed countless cyclists to Naples over the decades. It’s a city steeped in history, passion, and a profound love for the Giro d’Italia. From the inaugural race in 1909 to the present day, Naples has played a pivotal role in shaping the legend of this iconic cycling event, a relationship that spans over a century and 49 editions.
A Journey Through Time: Naples’ Enduring Presence in the Giro
The year is 1909. The very first Giro d’Italia is underway, and the caravan of intrepid cyclists makes its way to Naples. Yet, the arrival is somewhat diminished. A scandal has rocked the race: four riders, in a desperate bid for an advantage, were disqualified for taking a train. This early drama set the stage for a relationship between Naples and the Giro that would be anything but ordinary.
Naples holds the distinction of being the third city, after Milan and Rome, to host the Giro d’Italia. Its presence in the early editions of 1910 and 1911 solidified its place in the race’s nascent history. Over the years, the city has witnessed the triumphs of cycling’s greatest legends, from the early heroes like Girardengo and Binda to the ‘human locomotive’ Guerra, and the ‘cannibal’ Eddy Merckx, who claimed his first Giro d’Italia victory right here in Naples, cementing his place in cycling folklore.
The Start and Finish Lines: Naples as a Pivotal Point
Naples has not only been a stage city but also a starting point for the Giro. The 96th edition of the race kicked off from Naples on May 4, 2013. That year, the city was abuzz with the America’s Cup World Series, but it was the British sprinter Mark Cavendish who flew across the finish line like a catamaran driven by the wind, outclassing Italy’s Elia Viviani and France’s Nacer Bouhanni.
Another grand departure from Naples took place in 1963, while the city has had the honor of hosting the Giro’s conclusion only once, five years later in 1968. That year, under a heavy rain, Eddy Merckx emerged as the overall victor. Later, in a time trial from Caserta to Naples, Francesco Moser, wearing the pink jersey, triumphed in a Piazza Plebiscito teeming with bicycles.
The Stories Behind the Victories: Legends Forged in Naples
The Giro’s narrative, as beautifully illustrated by writer Porreca, is rich with the tales of extraordinary riders. Albini, Gaetano Belloni, the ‘eternal second’ who, paradoxically, won four times in Naples, Aymo, Costante Girardengo with his two victories, Zanaga, and Piemontesi. Raffaele Di Paco, a pre-war and proto-Mario Cipollini, secured three triumphs. Olmo, Servadei, and an obscure German, Gerard Loncke, who was the first foreigner to win here, all left their mark.
One of the most captivating figures was Learco Guerra from Mantua, the ‘human locomotive.’ He made a profound impression in 1930 at the Coppa Caivano and in a stage of the Giro della Campania. Guerra, notably the first athlete to wear the pink jersey on May 10, 1931, achieved victories in Naples in ’32, ’34, and ’37, with his last partial success against Bergamaschi and Mealli at the Giro.
A Resurgence and a Renewed Passion
After a 13-year hiatus, the Giro returned to Naples in 2009. The city, still recovering from a dramatic waste emergency, embraced the race, launching the riders towards the finish line in Anagni. That year, Philippe Gilbert triumphed, and Danilo Di Luca’s hopes for overall victory faded, paving the way for Denis Menchov of the Russian Federation to be crowned in Rome the following day.
The rest, as they say, is recent history. The Giro has consistently shown its affection for Naples, and the city’s passionate fans have reciprocated. From 2022 to 2026, Naples’ stunning beauty has been broadcast worldwide, captivating a vast audience not only on television but also across social media and the web. The love affair between Naples and the Giro d’Italia continues, a testament to the city’s enduring spirit and its integral role in the grand narrative of cycling.
Source: https://napoli.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_maggio_11/giro-d-italia-story-napoli-c-era-gia-nel-1909-quei-quattro-ciclisti-squalificati-avevano-preso-il-treno-03466728-b55d-402f-b25d-7449f1af1xlk.shtml
