Negrar di Valpolicella (Vr), 10 July 2021 - The appointment with the 59th Gp Palio del Recioto - Trofeo C&F Resinatura Blocchi is fast approaching. There are now 10 days to the official start that will be given, as tradition dictates, from the heart of Negrar di Valpolicella (Vr).

The 2021 edition of the race of dreams will take place in a different context from the one to which cycling enthusiasts are accustomed: the postponement due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, in fact, will ensure that, for the first time in over half a century of history, the Gran Premio Palio del Recioto will take place in the heart of summer, in accordance with the regulations and protocols against Covid.

Distance and masks will also be the watchwords for the international event reserved for the Under 23s, which has always attracted an incomparable public: "Unfortunately, the national health situation and the data we receive from abroad advise the utmost caution. For this reason we ask the fans who want to experience the Palio del Recioto 2021 from the roadside to respect the anti-covid rules and to avoid gatherings" underlined the President of Valpolicella B.E.S.T., Mr. Alessandro Comin Chiaramonti. "We are happy that the conditions are in place to finally hold this 59th edition of the Palio del Recioto, which was postponed last year for well-known reasons. Despite the many restrictions and difficulties of the moment, we firmly believe that it is important to seize with enthusiasm the restart and offer again the opportunity for the best Under 23 talents to compete on our roads. For this reason we have been working for months to set up every detail in accordance with tradition and international anti-covid protocols: Tuesday 20 July will be a beautiful day of sport, we want to live it together with athletes from all over the world and many fans with the only invitation to be careful and respectful of the regulations in force".

The staff of Valpolicella B.E.S.T. have worked tirelessly over the last few months, updating their organisational machinery and maintaining international relations with teams from all over the world in order to ensure that the athletes at the start will be worthy of the history and coat of arms of the Palio del Recioto.

"The teams were understanding and enthusiastic about the possibility of finally competing in the Palio del Recioto. Many teams from Italy and abroad will face long journeys specifically to race here in Valpolicella: it is an effort that we appreciate and we want to repay with the usual festive welcome of our territory" added the number one of Valpolicella B.E.S.T.

THE NEW ROUTE - For the 59th edition of the Gp Palio del Recioto - Trofeo C&F Resinatura Blocchi a new and fascinating race route has been set up which, with the initial transfer stretch, will measure 151 kilometres with a total difference in height of around 3,000 metres.

The first part of the race includes six laps of the 18.6-kilometre circuit characterised by the climbs of Colle Masua and Jago.

Once the first 107 kilometres have been completed, the race continues uphill towards Torbe, where it turns left to take the Via Tezol Wall. A tongue of concrete of just over 500 metres that allows you to climb the crest and take the false floor that leads to Marano di Valpolicella and from here descend to Valgatara, passing through San Floriano, Pedemonte and Santa Maria to return to the municipality of Negrar, passing again under the arrival gate, for the first time heading north.

After crossing the roads that have characterised the Palio del Recioto of the last decade, there will be the last unpublished and demanding 21 kilometres that will lead the group of the best riders to Mazzano; from here they will take the municipal road that climbs among the impervious peaks of Valpolicella, characterised by small villages such as Saline, until they reach Fiamene. From here you will turn to descend into the heart of Fane and climb again towards Prun where the triumphal march of the day's leaders can finally begin, separated from the final finish line only by a long descent that will pass once again through the Curva del Ferar before arriving in the heart of Negrar, where, in the central Via Giuseppe Mazzini, the public of great occasions will only wait to crown the successor of Matteo Sobrero who won the 2019 edition of the race of dreams.