It was a very exciting day today in Bagni di Lucca. The Giro d’Italia came through town. Even if you have little interest in bicycle racing you couldn’t help being caught up in the fun.
Streets and houses were decorated to welcome the riders.
Regular cyclists were out and about trying the Giro route.
Our little piazza in Ponte a Serraglia was crowded with people looking forward to the big event. Luckily my balcony offered a birds’ eye view of the proceedings.
There were cyclists waiting to see cyclists.
Before the cyclists came through there were lots of official vehicles and pink vans selling Giro merchandise. Jim lined up to buy a lovely pink hat. The reason for pink is that the major sponsor is the Corriere dello Sport, a newspaper printed on pink paper.
Sponsors’ cars came through at speed.
…and the leading bikes appeared.
The crowds were waiting for them.
…and then the main pack of riders sped along the river and through our piazza.
Then the official vehicles sped past and it was all over.
What fun! I’m glad I was here. On Saturday afternoon we will all be back for the Mille Miglia which will come through Bagni di Lucca…it all happens here.
Go to Bella Bagni di Lucca for some photos from Bar Italia.
Thank you for the pictures! I have tried to find something on the TV but the only thing they broadcasted was the finish!
By: Annelies Monnereau on May 13, 2015
at 10:32 pm
There will be some more soon on Bella Bagni di Lucca.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 13, 2015
at 10:35 pm
Jim looked very fetching in his pink hat – what fun
By: Liz Litzow on May 13, 2015
at 10:36 pm
I’m sure the pink hat will come in handy.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 13, 2015
at 10:49 pm
Wonderful to hear that Ponte a Serraglia is in the centre of the universe — again. Must have been last years” Moto Giro d Italia ” , that got the attention of promoters 😀😅😉
Please to pass on my warm regards to all the locals —as I’m not visiting their gorgeous village this year 😂😂😂😂
By: Richard the terrible on May 13, 2015
at 10:38 pm
You should have been here Richard.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 13, 2015
at 10:46 pm
That would have been fun to see.
By: Tuxedo Sophisticated Cat on May 13, 2015
at 10:45 pm
It was great fun, and good to see so many people out and about.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 13, 2015
at 10:49 pm
Looks a big event – much excitement in the village and everything so beautifully photogenic and green. Tell Jim I like him in a pink hat!
By: Dianne CANT on May 13, 2015
at 10:52 pm
Perhaps he will wear it in West End.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 13, 2015
at 11:11 pm
Great Deb..looks like a lovely day.
By: Kerry & Jim on May 13, 2015
at 11:27 pm
It really was great fun. I don’t have much interest in cycling, but it was exciting to see the piazza so busy and everyone really enjoyed the spectacle.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 14, 2015
at 7:43 pm
Ooh, I spy with my little eye an Aussie flag! Very exciting and the day looks glorious!
By: Paula on May 13, 2015
at 11:30 pm
There were a few Australian flags about. It was a perfect spring day. The sun was shining, the river was sparkling…wonderful.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 14, 2015
at 7:44 pm
Reblogged this on Margaret River & Beyond and commented:
Here is our friend Debra’s blog on the Giro d’Italia as they passed through Ponte a Serraglio. In two of the photos of the peloton coming up the street you can see Villa Isabella where we stayed and our steep driveway. Looks like they all have a wonderful day. Thanks Deb.
By: Kerry & Jim on May 13, 2015
at 11:32 pm
Dashing young men on their cycling machines! What excitement and your lovely flower boxes added to the colourful scene. What beautiful green trees too.
By: Jan on May 14, 2015
at 12:02 am
Ponte a Serraglio is looking fabulous right now with its brand new green trees.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 14, 2015
at 7:45 pm
Yes! Yes! Yes!! Have just surfaced after the 5th night watching the Giro in Australia. Am probably the biggest cycling nut in the country and so thrilled our SBS is showing every night. Got a wonderful surprise when ‘Bagni di Lucca’ sign came up and was able to travel virtually throughout your beautiful township!! Oh that spring greenery . . . A lovely part of Tuscany I now feel I know an iota better 🙂 !!
By: Eha on May 14, 2015
at 12:15 am
It was a glorious day yesterday, perfect for the race…and the spectators.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 14, 2015
at 7:46 pm
Great time to be there, how fun
By: Jan Fabretti on May 14, 2015
at 12:35 am
It was great, and we had the perfect view.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 14, 2015
at 7:46 pm
Such fun pics, Debra. The riders must have been delighted. 🙂
By: anotherday2paradise on May 14, 2015
at 1:53 am
I wonder if the riders do look around, or are they concentrating so much they see nothing?
By: Debra Kolkka on May 14, 2015
at 7:47 pm
great thanks to you to be able to enjoy this day from afar. on the television it was gone in a flash, and somehow confusing because of shots changing from front to middle and back of peloton. nice to recognise some faces as well.
thank you debra for sharing!
By: Anonymous on May 14, 2015
at 2:11 am
JB just read in the Courier Mail today that an Aussie, named Simon Clarke who replaced another Aussie became the leader of the race that day.
. So that makes it even better. Loved the look of the cyclists going thru your village. x
By: Dianne CANT on May 14, 2015
at 2:17 am
Sorry, but methinks you are a day late! Orica GreenEdge was absolutely great on the flats but had to succumb to the ‘holy trinity’ of Contador, Aru and our own Richie Porte last night!! Let’s pra!!!. Meanwhile Gerrans, Matthews and Clarke have made Australia proud!! Their job virtually done, they will prob withdraw to prep for TdF!!!
By: Eha on May 14, 2015
at 4:27 am
Debra….great pictures…..we enjoyed last Sunday the start of the 100KM bike race around Ischia that started here in the Ponte. Over 500 riders. It was fun to watch them line up in front of the Castello Argonese for the start.
By: sealights99 on May 14, 2015
at 2:23 am
Italy does these spectacles very well…aren’t we lucky to be here?
By: Debra Kolkka on May 14, 2015
at 7:48 pm
Great photos! It was a lot of fun being here for this – seeing the decorations, lots of people in town, and, of course, the cyclists.
By: sheilasunshine on May 14, 2015
at 6:13 am
It was a great day. I’m looking forward to the Mille Miglia.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 14, 2015
at 7:49 pm
Fantastic! Wish I was there, but I’m particularly excited about the Mille Miglia.
By: hitchedinitaly on May 14, 2015
at 8:08 am
Me too, we saw a couple of the cars today in Arrezzo.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 14, 2015
at 7:50 pm
How fabulous. The weather looks perfect. I can feel the excitement from your photos. Jim’s pink hat actually looks good
By: Lyn on May 14, 2015
at 7:44 pm
The weather could not have been better. I wonder if Jim will wear the hat again.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 14, 2015
at 7:51 pm
That’s exciting. Bagna di Luca looks splendid on such a colourful day.
By: Just Add Attitude on May 14, 2015
at 10:50 pm
It was a perfect spring day for the riders.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 16, 2015
at 4:05 am
Great photos of a wonderful event – thank you!
By: chris oconnor on May 15, 2015
at 7:25 am
It was a fun day, I’m glad I was around for it.
By: Debra Kolkka on May 16, 2015
at 4:06 am
The still images seem to capture the spirit so perfectly. Even more so than the action that flashes by on TV. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful event!
By: janinevasta on May 17, 2015
at 10:26 am
Just another reason of your balcony providing a great view. 🙂
By: aFrankAngle on May 18, 2015
at 11:40 am
That looks like fun! One day I will visit this quaint town.
By: Simply Splendid Food on May 18, 2015
at 5:20 pm
For the first time, we watched part of the race on tv. So great that the race did go through your town!
By: Jean on May 24, 2015
at 2:27 pm
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at 1:18 pm