Granfondo Franco Ballerini

The Granfondo Franco Ballerini is a 122 km cycling granfondo held in Casalguidi, Pistoia province, featuring 1,557 meters of elevation gain. The event honors Franco Ballerini, a former racer and technical commissioner for the Italian National Cycling Team, established by his sons Gianmarco and Matteo to commemorate their father through the sport. The course combines quicker road segments with moderate climbs, intensifying around the 40 km mark with a significant ascent. The granfondo crosses the Tuscan roads where Ballerini honed his cycling skills. The event's activities extend beyond the ride itself: "Il Salotto del Ciclismo" hosts cycling personalities for discussions in a podcast format about Mario Cipollini’s world-title victory, and a portion of the weekend is dedicated to young cyclists and children with aspirations in the sport.