This Saturday, in the Teatro degli Astrusi, Andrea Satta will present the festival in a Preview of Eroica Montalcino.

On 5, 6 and 7 May, in Montalcino, world famous for its Brunello and its magnificent countryside, an array of different art forms will set the scene for the first edition of Eroica Montalcino that promises lots of surprises and not just for cyclists, in the same vein as those offered by L’Eroica Gaiole in Chianti over the past 20 years. Cyclists can choose from four routes; a 46 km route dedicated to Brunello, because it will wind its way through the vineyards which produce the region’s finest DOC wines. The second short route is about 70 km long, the medium route covers 102 km, while the fourth and longest route is 171 km. The latter will pass through some of the most beautiful locations in the province of Siena: San Quirico D’Orcia and Bagno Vignone, famous for their thermal waters, Pienza, birthplace of Pope Pius II and renowned for its Pecorino cheese and wine, Montisi and San Giovanni d’Asso, lands where truffles abound, and Buonconvento, which has been been recognised as ‘one of the most beautiful villages in Italy’.

Eroica Montalcino, under the direction of Andrea Satta, voice of Têtes de Bois, has one characteristic that distinguishes it from all the others; it will be a festival involving the entire historical centre of Montalcino with shows and events dedicated to the world on two wheels. It promises to enchant adults and children alike, telling the story of the cycling of yore and its everlasting values, such as “the beauty in fatigue and the thrill of the conquest”. The most precious victories, both in sport and everyday life are won thanks to these values.

So Montalcino will be filled with theatre, music, books and street games that will render the first weekend in May unique with an unforgettable festival. Vintage jerseys like lanterns, radio broadcasts booming out across town, each square and exhibition will be dedicated to a cycling domestique. Apart from the many guests, the festival will graced by the presence of eleven domestiques from the time of Coppi to the present day; from Idrio Bui, 84-year old assistant to the number one, to Marzio Bruseghin, Marcello Osler, Primo and Franco Mori, Roberto Poggiali, Mario Traversoni, Paolo Fornaciari, Alan Marangoni, Pietro Campagnari, Roberto Conti who long cycled side-by-side with extraordinary champions like Pantani, Gimondi, De Wlaemink, Merckx, Chiappucci and others.

Andrea Satta’s thoughts on Eroica Montalcino: “Alfredo Martini taught me that cycling is a school that involves understanding others, their language and their culture. L’Eroica is a ride, not a race. Nobody wins at Eroica. Those who take part and have fun are the winners. Being here means accepting a common language and doing something positive for your personal development. This year, after twenty years of Eroica, as well as the ride in Montalcino, there will also be a festival, or more precisely, a party.

Writers, poets, jugglers, acrobats, cyclists past and present, singers, actors, various artists, they are all teachers in their own right.

Three days in Montalcino, the beautiful town, famous for its wine and picture-perfect landscapes. Three days in May, like a Renaissance triptych.

There will be thousands of strange faces, Italian and foreign beauties, old jerseys and fresh fatigue, roads without tar, beards and moustaches, all on two wheels”.

At 9 pm on Saturday 25 March, at the Teatro degli Astrusi in Montalcino the “Eroica Montalcino Preview” will be held. During the evening, members of Têtes de Bois, Andrea Satta and Angelo Pelini, together with the organisers of Eroica Montalcino, will describe the ideas and characteristics of the event, the routes and especially the festival. Special guest for the evening is actor, Paolo Hendel with lots of other surprises in store.

info: www.eroicamontalcino.it

Press Office

Livio Iacovella e Angela Towey

Tel. +39/335.7931616 e +39/329.6370009 Fax +39/06.23.32.05.264

livio.iacovella@startcommunication.net

angela.towey@startcommunication.net