The Poggio of Sanremo Gets a New Look

The newly redeveloped Piazza della Libertà, located at the summit of the iconic Poggio di Sanremo, was officially inaugurated today in the presence of Alessandro Mager, Mayor of Sanremo, Alessandro Sindoni, Councillor for Tourism and Sport of the Municipality of Sanremo, Massimo Donzella, Councillor for Public Works of the Municipality of Sanremo, Claudio Chiappucci, winner of the 1991 Milano-Sanremo, and Roberto Salamini, Marketing & Communications Manager of RCS Sports & Events.

Enhancing the square is a sculpture depicting three stylised bicycles, designed by students from the Academy of Fine Arts to celebrate the strong bond between the Poggio and the famous cycling race. At the base of the sculpture are the inscriptions “La Classicissima di Primavera” and “Sanremo Women presented by Crédit Agricole – Milano-Sanremo presented by Crédit Agricole“, highlighting the connection with RCS Sport, organiser of both races, which collaborated on today’s inauguration. A QR code is also featured, linking visitors to the Classicissima’s website.

The square is located at the very top of the Poggio climb, a place that has often proved decisive in determining the winner of the race. It was also once home to the famous telephone booth that served as a landmark for riders approaching the hairpin marking the start of the descent, while newspaper and radio correspondents used it to file live race updates.

Quotes

Alessandro Mager, Mayor of Sanremo, Alessandro Sindoni, Councillor for Tourism and Sport of the Municipality of Sanremo, and Massimo Donzella, Councillor for Public Works of the Municipality of Sanremo: “Today’s ceremony is intended to celebrate the tradition that binds the Milano-Sanremo to the Poggio, whose climb has witnessed some of the most unforgettable moments in the history of the race. The hairpin bends of this ascent are constantly ridden by cycling enthusiasts, who pedal with the exploits of the great champions who battled here for victory fresh in their minds. Piazza della Libertà, which has recently undergone a major redevelopment project, has now become the symbol of one of the most iconic locations of the Classicissima. It is our hope that the sculpture dedicated to the Milano-Sanremo will become a must-stop landmark, where visitors and cyclists can take a photograph to commemorate their ride over the summit of the Poggio. We recently inaugurated the Walk of Fame along our cycling and pedestrian path, featuring the race’s roll of honour and the handprints of its winners. It has already become a point of interest for visitors and cycling fans alike. Looking ahead, we have further initiatives in mind, once again in collaboration with RCS, to highlight and enhance the iconic locations that have made the Milano-Sanremo one of the world’s greatest cycling races”.

Claudio Chiappucci: “Milano-Sanremo is one of the most special victories of my career, above all because I managed to defy the odds. It wasn’t a race that perfectly suited my characteristics, but with courage and determination I proved that I could win it. My edition remains part of the race’s history because it was the last one in which the decisive move was launched on the descent of the Passo del Turchino. On the Poggio, I managed to drop Rolf Sørensen, the last rival still with me, and from there I rode solo all the way to the finish in Corso Cavallotti. When I found myself alone and saw the telephone booth, I realized I was going to make it. Returning here today, to the place that marked such an important chapter of my career, and seeing the Poggio enhanced with this new square dedicated to the Classicissima, is truly emotional. Even today, I still get goosebumps when I think back to that unforgettable day”.

Roberto Salamini, Marketing & Communications Manager of RCS Sports & Events: “The Poggio is one of the most iconic locations in world cycling, the place where countless unforgettable chapters in the history of Milano-Sanremo have been written over the decades and, more recently, of Sanremo Women as well. Seeing this landmark redeveloped and enhanced with a work of art celebrating the Spring Classic means preserving and promoting a sporting heritage that belongs not only to Sanremo, but to cycling fans around the world. We would like to thank the Municipality of Sanremo for sharing this project with us, further strengthening the legacy and prestige of both Milano-Sanremo and Sanremo Women”.