Rapolano Terme. Sport Week, from the Ultramarathon to the stage of the Giro d'Italia.

They spoke at the press conference on the international sports week Antonio Mazzeo president of the regional council, Elena Rosignoli, regional councilor, and Alessandro Starnini mayor of Rapolano Terme by Riccardo Ferrucci.

Florence – The press conference to present the “Sassoli” was held at the Media CenterInternational sports week in Rapolano Terme“, whose highlight will be the arrival of the sixth stage of the Giro d'Italia. Speakers included the president of the regional council Antonio Mazzeo, the regional councilor Elena Rosignoli, the mayor of Rapolano Terme, Alessandro Starnini, the councilor of Rapolano and coordinator of the stage committee of the Giro d'Italia, Roberto Rosadini, and the president of the Group sportsman “Riccardo Valenti” for the Crete Senesi Ultramarathon, Alberto Pulcinelli.

It will be one 'International Sports Week' the one that will liven up Rapolano Terme in the month of May with two events that will combine running, cycling and promotion of the territory. The events will open with the 2nd edition of the Crete Senesi Ultramarathon, scheduled from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th May, followed a few days later, Thursday 9th May, by the arrival in Rapolano Terme of the sixth stage of the 107th Giro d'Italia from from Viareggio.

"Running, cycling and territory, everything comes together – he said Antonio Mazzeo president of the regional council – and an eloquent image of our idea of ​​Tuscany is offered: of how many beauties there are in our territories. I am happy to present the Crete Senesi Ultramarathon and to launch the arrival of the Giro d'Italia stage for a community that makes sport one of the main values ​​in respect of the environment and an idea of ​​Tuscany that knows how to take care of others and of herself. In these days many Tuscan, Italian and foreign citizens will realize how beautiful the Crete Senesi are and what treasures these wonderful territories hide."

"I would like to underline, within the Ultramarathon program, the activities dedicated to the disabled, with an activity aimed at social inclusion – he said the regional councilor Elena Rosignoli – and with a program that is therefore aimed at all citizens. Then the chance to live the dream of professional cycling with the stage of the Giro d'Italia which arrives in Rapolano Terme. Making us discover a unique territory, with its cultural beauties and where there are two of the most important spas in the province of Siena"

"We will experience a few days of great sport with the professionals of the Giro d'Italia and to walk and run in our clays with Ultramarathon – he said the mayor of Rapolano Alessandro Starnini – demonstrating that our places are not a world apart, but are places that attract visitors from all over the world. Registrations for the marathon are going very well, with numerous international presences, and I would like to thank the Riccardo Valenti Sports Group which is the soul of this event. The stage of the Giro d'Italia becomes an important moment for our city and for the entire region, what struck me is the popular impact that these events have, we are ready to welcome all visitors in the best possible way."

The Second Edition of the Crete Senesi Ultramarathon, organized by the "Riccardo Valenti" sports group of Rapolano Terme, will combine the promotion of the area with the passion for running or walking with a program full of initiatives for everyone which has already attracted numerous participants at a national and international level. The demonstration will take starting on Saturday 4 May with the City Tour Crete Senesi, a four-wheeled walk that will start from the Water Park at 9 and 10.30 am and will accompany participants to discover the Rapolanese territory with guided tours inside the Modanella Castle and San Gimignanello. Again on Saturday 4 May, at 15pm, the recreational-recreational Ecological Walk immersed in the Crete Senesi is scheduled in the company of the local environmental guide Giulia Raffaelli with a 12 km circular route.

"An important opportunity given to us by the Municipality and the Regional Council – he said Alberto Pulcinelli president of the Valenti Sports Group – to be able to enhance our territory through an important competition which has already attracted numerous participants, mainly foreign, and we hope to reach over a thousand participants. We also have a walk reserved for the less fortunate, the disabled, who are always at the center of our attention. There will be three days of celebration with a great welcome for all visitors."

"We started working at Utrmarathon about three years ago – he told us Rapolano councilor Roberto Rosadini – and we want to make this race grow exponentially, presenting our project also abroad, in cities like Valencia. By combining this event with the Giro d'Italia stage we are able to have a great return in terms of attention and tourism, all our farmhouses are fully booked in this period and we are proud of the success that our sporting initiatives are enjoying."

"Tuscany is full of events and these days of May are an opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful villages in our region – he said Anna Paris regional councilor – and verify the great hospitality that these territories offer to those arriving from abroad, on the occasion of major sporting events such as the arrival of a stage of the Giro d'Italia."

The “Pink Day” on May 9th will open in the morning with the presentation of the SiConnectSi project (Siena – Rapolano – Sinalunga), composed of two cycling routes of approximately 50 km which join in Rapolano Terme starting from Siena and Sinalunga, along the coplanar stretch of the Siena – Bettolle highway and the two connections from Siena to Taverne and from Rigomagno Station in Sinalunga. The SiConnectSi project will allow you to cycle safely with a minimum difference in altitude and will be suitable for amateur cyclists, cycle tourists and families with children.

SiConnectSi will be inaugurated by two groups of cyclists who will start from Siena and Sinalunga and will meet in Rapolano Terme around 12. They will also be joined by the participants in Giro E, which will start from Siena with a one-of-a-kind experience in world-wide using pedal-assisted racing bicycles (e-road bikes).

Walking enthusiasts, however, will be able to wait for the arrival of the Giro d'Italia by taking part in "Andiamo in Giro", an excursion on a circular route of approximately 11 km with stops in some places linked to the historical, cultural and social heritage of Rapolano Terme and a regenerating bath in the waters of the Terme Antica Querciolaia.