Yes, the Giro is so much more than a bicycle race...it's an excuse for Italians to do what they love to do best: gather with friends and strangers alike, and fare festa--party! Traveling the length and breadth of the peninsula, the Giro brings color, music, and excitement, and an atmosphere of innocence, magic and joy. The Giro is...fun!

All official Giro images are the property of RCS Publications

The font is the same as that used in the logo of La Gazzetta dello Sport. The cyclist's body is, of course, formed from the letter G, and the tricolor stripe needs no explanation.

The Giro's mascot is Girbecco, a morphing of Giro and stembecco. I can't say I see the connection between an ibex and a bicycle race (at least the name of the previous mascot, the Ghiro--a dormouse--rhymed with Giro), other than the fact that it is a mountain goat. The organizers state that he transmits "the values that have always been associated with the Giro and with cycling: obstinacy, commitment, honesty, speed, strength, courage--all of the qualities that the ibex incarnates."
That's a lot to attribute to a wild animal, let alone a Disneyesque cartoon character!

(r) the Ghiro in action at a stage start in Marostica

If you've ever watched the Giro live on RAI, the Italian tv network, then you know that each year the opening credits feature a different theme song. They and other songs used during the broadcast have been compiled into a wonderful collection, Capogiro, distributed by Sony Music entertainment and available at the race and at the Giro d'Italia virtual store.

There are songs about Bartali (Enzo Janacci), the haunting Coppi (Gino Paoli), and even a touching and inspiring song about Alfonsina Strada!: Teresa de Sio's Pedala Pedala (Una Ragazza al Giro d'Italia). One of my favorites is Enrico Ruggieri's Gimondi e il Cannibale, which must be the finest cycling song ever written--it captures all the drama, pain, courage, and romance of a mountain stage. Songs such as Formoso's La Mia Bicicletta will make you want to jump on your bike and head for the countryside (well, if you understand Italian, that is) And of course there are Paolo Belli's popular and singable tunes: E' un Gran Bel Giro, Danceur Danzando, and Intanto Gira, and Lucio Dalla's energetic and memorable Sono in Fuga (I'm in a Breakaway). And still more!. Click here to listen to the 2007 theme, Paolo Conte's Velocità Silenziosa.

What are those pink towers (like the one at left) that you see at the bases of some famous climbs? They're "totems" for a program called Le Salite del Giro. In concept it works like this: you enroll by purchasing a membership card, seen at right. The card's unique code then becomes your own, and you are entered into a database. Before starting up a participating climb, place your card close to the center of the tower, listen for a beep of confirmation, and away you go. When you reach the top of the climb, repeat the procedure. A third "totem" will automatically print out a mini-certificate with your time on it. The data is collected and uploaded to a website, where you can see your time and compare it to those of others, including the pros'. Our own local climb, the legendary Monte Grappa, is one of those participating. Sounds great, no? Unfortunately, this excellent project has suffered from neglect. The domain name was not renewed and was appropriated by a cheesy commercial enterprise, so the site no longer exists. How can a cyclist find out where to purchase the card? Are the towers stll functioning? Does anyone download the data? What purpose would it serve, if there's no longer a site?

Even if you don't live in Italy, you can watch the Giro live on Rai International network, which is available by satellite and cable. In the US, it's carried by Dish network, but it's not even necessary to subscribe to all of their programming--you can get only Rai, if you wish. Some cable tv companies (Optimum, for one) make it available at an extra monthly charge. The Rai website carries the live feed, but it's accessible only in Italy. However, www.steephill.tv lists websites that relay the feed, in addition to that of other important races.

The Giro is the impetus for numerous collateral activities, one being Biciscuola, a competition for school children. They create projects (newspapers, images, stories, games, photo exhibits, etc.) on a theme, such as the use of the bicycle and respect for the environment. The winning classes from the areas surrounding the stage towns are awarded on the podium and are given seats on the finish line or other choice locations. Other educational actitivies, such as lessons about road safety, are organized for children along the route as well. The Giro becomes a part of a child's life at a very early age.

Students of the Art Institue of Nove designed and executed an extraordinary mural in Rossano Veneto (home of Wilier-Triestina, Sella Italia, and Selle San Marco). It will remain there as testimony of Rossano's proud legacy as a Giro stage town. (right) a detail of the mural.

In each Giro stage town there's a window decorating contest which incites merchants to try to outdo one another in creating the most original, artistic, and charming displays. It's fun to stroll around and enjoy the fruits of their creativity.

©2001-2010 The BiciVeneto lion logo and all text and photos on this site are, unless otherwise noted, the sole property of April Pedersen Santinon. Duplication, reproduction, or use of the text, images, and photos without the author's permission is strictly prohibited.