The 80th Road World Cycling Championships will, for the first time, be held in and around the city of Florence in Tuscany from 22nd-29th September. Recognised as one of the heartlands of Italian cycling, the races will start in the nearby towns of Lucca, Montecatini Terme and Pistoia, then traverse the undulating hills and jaw-dropping Tuscan scenery before finishing in Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

On roads where Italian greats such as Gino Bartali, Fiorenzo Magni, Alfredo Martini, Gastone Nencini and Franco Ballerini used to train, the organisers estimate there will be well over a million spectators, including 1,500 journalists and 250 broadcasters from 180 different countries. Continue reading →