Cycling meets Amerigo Vespucci: a journey starting from Abruzzo

Two Italian excellences come together. The world-class cycling of RCS Sport and the historic Amerigo Vespucci tall ship of the Italian Navy embark on a shared journey from the port of Ortona, within the IN ITALIA Village, the storytelling and sharing space of the ship’s World Tour.

During the event, Il Giro d’Abruzzo (April 15-18)—organized by RCS Sport in collaboration with the Abruzzo Region—was officially presented.

Amerigo Vespucci and RCS Sport will reunite in Durrës on April 9, exactly one month before the Giro d’Italia starts from the Albanian city, for an exclusive countdown aboard the ship. Their next encounters will take place during the Corsa Rosa:

May 15 in Naples (finish of stage six)
June 1 in Civitavecchia, where Nave Vespucci will be docked.

The ship’s motto, “Not he who begins, but he who perseveres,” perfectly connects the Vespucci to the world of cycling, emphasizing sacrifice, passion, and endurance, whether at sea or on the road.

The Route of Il Giro d'Abruzzo 2025

The 2025 edition of the Giro d’Abruzzo promises a challenging route, featuring the Roccaraso summit finish and crossing all four provinces of Abruzzo—Chieti, L’Aquila, Pescara, and Teramo—over four thrilling race days.

STAGE 1, SCERNI-CRECCHIO, 151 KM

A wavy stage with an increasingly challenging finale. Initially, the route climbs slightly as the stage takes the inland roads of the province of Chieti, negotiating the Bocca di Valle ascent past Guardiagrele. The profile is milder in the second part, rising and falling non-stop with false flat stretches in between. The roads are challenging, and narrowed at points. Roundabouts, speed bumps and traffic dividers are the common impediments found in urban areas.

STAGE 2, TOCCO DA CASAURIA-PENNE, 138 KM

A mountain stage featuring a succession of climbs. After a short mild uphill start, the route takes in ascents to Forcella di Acciano (with lengthy stretches exceeding 10%), Valico di San Leonardo and Forca di Penne, before negotiating the final climb to Penne. The stage is played out on mountain roads, narrowed at points, with some technical descents.

STAGE 3, SAN DEMETRIO NE’ VESTINI-ROCCARASO (AREMOGNA), 160 KM

A mountain stage featuring long ascents followed by long false-flats down. The route takes in climbs to Forca Caruso (14 km), Gioia Vecchio (Passo del Diavolo, 14 km) and the final ascent to Aremogna, exceeding 18 km. The stage is played out on mountain roads, narrowed at points, with some technical descents. Roundabouts, speed bumps and traffic dividers are the common impediments found in urban areas.

STAGE 4, CORROPOLI-ISOLA DEL GRAN SASSO (SANTUARIO DI SAN GABRIELE), 166 KM

As the race moves from one valley to the following one, the route takes in a steady succession of ascents and descents, eight overall, shorter or longer, with milder or harsher gradients, and hardly any flat stretches. After a first pass over the line, the route takes in a wavy circuit, 58 km in length. The stage finale is on a slight incline.

Discover all the stages, click here

Quotes

Marco Marsilio, President of Regione Abruzzo: “Today marks an important event in front of the Vespucci ship, celebrating the revival of the Giro d’Abruzzo—a historic stage race that we have reinstated in the calendar thanks to our collaboration with RCS Sport. This race is recognized as one of the most crucial preparatory events leading up to the Giro d’Italia. Our region, with its spectacular and demanding Apennine mountains, has become a permanent and essential presence in both the national and international cycling calendar”.

Paolo Bellino, General Manager and CEO of RCS Sports & Events: “We are honored to launch this extraordinary synergy between the Giro d’Italia and Amerigo Vespucci—two symbols of Italian excellence worldwide. The presentation of the Giro d’Abruzzo is just the first of many scheduled events, underscoring the ever-growing interest in cycling. The connection between cycling and the Vespucci embodies the union of sport and the sea, the endurance of the road and the allure of navigation—both bound by sacrifice and perseverance. This unfolds in the stunning setting of the Abruzzo region, which once again proves its passion for cycling, as demonstrated by the numerous major events it has recently hosted, including the Grande Partenza of the Giro d’Italia. We are confident that this collaboration will make our events even more unforgettable, delivering a powerful message under the banner of Made in Italy”.

Giocchino Alfano, Presidente of Difesa Servizi: “The Mediterranean Tour of the Amerigo Vespucci, featuring the IN Italia Village, and the Giro d’Abruzzo are two symbols of excellence coming together and starting their journey here, from Ortona. It is wonderful to share a common goal—telling the story of Italy’s beauty from both the sea and the road. I would like to thank Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto, who conceived the idea of the World Tour and the Mediterranean Tour of the Vespucci, and RCS, with whom this incredible adventure begins here in Ortona. We will reunite in Durrës, once again aboard the most beautiful ship in the world, for the Giro d’Italia presentation. A special thanks to President Marsilio and the Abruzzo Region for supporting Ortona’s stage of the tour”.

Cordiano Dagnoni, Presidente of FCI – Federazione Ciclistica Italiana: “Italian cycling owes a great deal to Abruzzo, both for producing champions and for being the stage of historic sporting feats. On behalf of the entire cycling community, I want to thank the region for its visionary commitment to investing in our sport as a tool to promote its cultural and natural heritage. I also extend my gratitude to RCS, our strategic partner in organizing the Giro Women and Giro Next Gen, for embracing this vision with their outstanding organizational expertise. The Giro d’Abruzzo has immediately stood out for the technical level and the spectacular nature of its route. I am certain that this race will become a permanent fixture in our calendar, accompanying Abruzzo’s cycling enthusiasts all the way to the 2029 European Championships—and beyond”.