Alé la Merckx 2024: Verona's epic granfondo moves to Livigno

(String: <span id="hs_cos_wrapper_post_body" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_rich_text" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="meta_field" data-hs-cos-type="rich_text" ><p style="text-align: left;">With this novelty, Little Tibet reconfirms its love affair with the world of cycling</p> <!--more--> <p>Livigno, 14.12.2023 - The 18th edition of the <span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Granfondo Alé La Merckx, </span><span style="font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">the iconic international granfondo event, which attracts almost 2000 participants every year, will have a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">new location </span><span style="font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">a</span><span style="font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: var(--bs-body-font-family); font-weight: var(--bs-body-font-weight); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">nd a new organisational team in 2024.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: bold;">Alé, </span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 300;">the famous cycling clothing brand and historical organiser of this granfondo, passes the baton to the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">municipality of Livigno, </span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 300;">but remains title sponsor and partner of the event, which, as is well known, is dedicated to the Cannibal, the famous Belgian cyclist </span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: bold;">Eddy Merckx.<br><br></span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 300;">The </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">Alé </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">la Merckx arrives in the parts of Little Tibet with all its load of history and sporting values, to allow its fans to reach </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">n</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">ew and different goals: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">challenging the great peaks and epic passes, which crown the splendid Livigno horizon.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 300;"><br>The appointment for the Alé La Merckx 2024 is therefore set for </span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: bold;">Saturday 29 June with start and finish at the Aquagranda centre in Livigno (SO).<br></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 300;"><br>A good news for all the lovers of the two wheels in Valtellina and not only: in 2024, in fact, in addition to the long-awaited three-day Giro d'Italia, including the arrival at high altitude that could decide the outcome of the pink race, the fans will also be able to compete in </span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 300;"></span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: bold;">one of the most fascinating granfondo of the entire international scene.<br><br></span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: bold;">TWO ROUTES<br></span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 300;">One appointment, two routes, designed ad hoc to keep the spirit of this historic granfondo intact: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">a long one of 173 km with 4100 metres of altitude difference, and a medium one of 96 km with 1300 metres of altitude difference.&nbsp;<br><br></span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 300;">The new objective of the routes is also to encourage active participation by those cyclists eager to put themselves to the test on climbs and hairpin bends of absolute sporting value, chosen by countless professionals as a place of preparation, in the run-up to the Grand Tours.&nbsp;<br><br>The </span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: bold;">short course </span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 300;">will start from the Aquagranda sports centre in Livigno, and then cross the town centre, passing on the main road, until it reaches the Passo della Forcola, and thus enters Switzerland. From there, an impressive and technically challenging stretch over the Bernina Pass, including the last, very hard hairpin bends. Descent along the Engadine, to Zernez, then up to the Passo del Forno, final crossing of the Munt La Schera tunnel and finish at Mottolino<br><br>Commitment that practically doubles for the </span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: bold;">long course, </span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 300;">the most eagerly awaited and spectacular one. The same identical start as for the short course, with Aquagranda and the village centre to welcome the runners, but the route then steepens in terms of difficulty and technical complexity. First the Passo dell'Umbrail, just below the Stelvio, then descent to Bormio, where the route leads to Foscagno. From here, a breathtaking double with two giants of our cycling: the Passo del Foscagno and the Passo Eira, before the final passage, still at Mottolino. A challenging design full of pitfalls, which will put the athletes to the test.<br><br></span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: bold;">A NEW EVENT, ALWAYS DEDICATED TO EDDY<br><br></span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 300;">The 18th edition of the Alé La Merckx will therefore be a new event, realised in full Livigno style, but able to remain faithful both to the values and spirit that Alé has wanted to instil in the granfondo, in its 17 years of organisation, and to the unique way of experiencing </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">cycling in the Valtellina, a discipline that looks at Little Tibet as a real second home.&nbsp;<br><br></span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 300;">And the memory of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">1972 </span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 300;">is also extremely evocative, when the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">Parabiago - Livigno stage of the Giro d'Italia brought the pink jersey to Livigno for the first time, with a high altitude finish tamed by that very Eddy Merckx, </span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 300;">to whom the granfondo is dedicated. The Belgian, on that glorious day 41 years ago, was the winner of the day, thus also taking the victory in the general classification.<br></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br>We are happy to announce this news, together with the municipality of Livigno. The Alé La Merckx moves away from home but remains an important and central event for Alé - </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">commented </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: 900;">Alessia Piccolo, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">Director of APG, the company to which Alé belongs and the historical organiser of the granfondo. - </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">We wanted to bring this splendid event to a different level, giving it that epic touch that only the Great Ascents can give. Today, those taking part in the Alé La Merckx will tackle the Passo del Foscagno, the Passo Eira or the Bernina. We are confident that Livigno will be able to offer this event, so dear to us, and its passionate participants, new goals and new exciting experiences!.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br>The arrival of the Alé la Merckx in Livigno once again certifies the quality of the work we are doing, both on the territory and towards the international sports community. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">These were the words of </span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: bold;">Luca Moretti, President of APT Livigno, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);">who continued: </span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Our location is synonymous, among other things, also with cycling, and it is no coincidence that many top teams choose us to prepare the big Giro and Olympic competitions. Hosting the Alé la Merckx in the same year that the Giro d'Italia returns to Little Tibet, creates a fascinating bridge to the past, given that it was on our roads, in 1972, that the Cannibal won a historic stage, flying towards the pink jersey. This is a wish for future enterprises, which always take sap and new ideas from the inspiration of legends'.</span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align); font-weight: bold;"><br><br></span><span style="font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 300;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: var(--bs-body-color); font-family: Livigno, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7rem; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0.015rem; text-align: var(--bs-body-text-align);"></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></span>)