Torino, Italy 19 April 2026
Source: https://granfondotorino.it/en/
The Granfondo Internazionale Torino Un tuffo nella storia d’Italia
The schedule for the Granfondo Internazionale Torino (Luca Ferrero Memorial) on Sunday, April 19, 2026, is as follows:
Sunday, April 19, 2026 (Race Day)
- 06:00 AM – 07:30 AM: Collection of race numbers and last-minute registrations at the Motovelodromo office.
- 07:00 AM: Opening of the starting grids.
- 08:30 AM: Official Start at Corso Casale (adjacent to the Motovelodromo).
- Finish Line: Located in Pino Torinese (Strada dei Colli, Pennone area) after a course of approximately 113 km and 1,900 meters of elevation gain.
- From 02:45 PM: Pasta Party followed by the awards ceremony.
Saturday, April 18, 2026 (Preparation)
- 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 02:30 PM – 07:00 PM: Distribution of race packs and membership card verification at the Motovelodromo.
- 04:00 PM: Wreath-laying ceremony at the Basilica of Superga.
Key Locations & Notes
- Event Village: Motovelodromo di Torino (Corso Casale, 144).
- Parking: A dedicated area for campers is available on Via Lomellina.
- Traffic Advisory: Please be aware that the Turin Half Marathon is also scheduled for April 19, which may cause additional road closures in the city center.
The Granfondo Internazionale Torino is a relatively young event in the amateur cycling world, but it is deeply rooted in the heavy cycling history of the Piedmont region.
The 2026 race marks the 11th edition of the event, which was established in the mid-2010s (roughly 2015/2016) to provide a high-level competitive amateur event starting and finishing in the heart of Turin.
The “Memorial Luca Ferrero”
Since its early years, the race has been dedicated to the memory of Luca Ferrero, a passionate local cyclist and volunteer at the Piccola Casa della Divina Provvidenza – Cottolengo. This connection is a core part of the event’s identity; it isn’t just a race but a charitable endeavor. The “Solidarity Bib” (pettorale solidale) allows participants to donate a portion of their entry fee to the Cottolengo institution, honoring Ferrero’s legacy of community service.
Historical Ties to Professional Cycling
While the Gran Fondo itself is modern, it intentionally follows the tracks of legends:
- The Milano-Torino Connection: The route heavily mimics sections of the Milano-Torino, which is the oldest professional bicycle race in the world (first held in 1876). By riding these roads, amateurs are literally “pedaling through history” on the same climbs where Coppi, Bartali, and Merckx once competed.
- The Basilica of Superga: The climb to Superga is the spiritual home of Turin cycling. The Gran Fondo maintains the tradition of a wreath-laying ceremony at the Basilica on the Saturday before the race, paying respect to both cycling history and the tragic 1949 “Superga air disaster” that impacted the city’s sporting identity.
The Motovelodromo “Fausto Coppi”
The history of the race is now inseparable from the Motovelodromo di Torino. Built in 1920 and designed by Vittorio Ballatore di Rosana, it is an architectural landmark and one of the oldest surviving sports structures in Italy.
- In recent years, the Gran Fondo has become a primary vehicle for the rebirth and restoration of the Motovelodromo.
- The event village is hosted here, and the race often features a unique ceremonial finish or “time trial” loop inside the historic concrete track, bridging 100 years of cycling history with the modern amateur scene.
Growth and Evolution
Over the last decade, the event has transitioned through various lead sponsors (such as Briko) and organizers (GS Alpi), consistently growing into one of the most prestigious dates on the Italian amateur calendar. It typically attracts around 3,000 participants from across Europe, drawn by the combination of a challenging Alpine-foothill course and the prestige of finishing in the shadow of the Alps.
