by MK
The Giro d’Italia’s penultimate stage drew remarkable crowds across Friuli Venezia Giulia on Saturday, 30 May, as thousands of spectators lined the route from Gemona del Friuli to the mountain finish in Piancavallo, creating one of the most vibrant scenes of this year’s race.
Organizers and representatives of RCS Sport, the company that manages the Giro d’Italia, noted the scale of public participation along the entire course. Families, cycling enthusiasts and visitors gathered throughout the day, filling roadside vantage points from the early kilometers of the stage through the final ascent to Piancavallo.
The stage carried added significance for the region, coinciding with commemorations marking 50 years since the devastating 1976 Friuli earthquake. In a first for the race, the Giro’s iconic pink jersey was specially personalized with the message, “Il Friuli ringrazia e non dimentica” (“Friuli thanks and does not forget”), honoring the victims and the resilience of the communities that rebuilt after the disaster.
The commemorative jersey was worn by race leader Jonas Vingegaard and featured prominently during the finish-line ceremonies in Piancavallo, bringing international attention to a chapter of regional history that remains deeply rooted in local memory.
The crowds that gathered throughout the day transformed the stage into more than a sporting event. Residents waved flags from balconies and roadside fields, while visitors packed mountain viewpoints to watch the riders tackle one of the race’s decisive climbs. The turnout underscored the enduring popularity of cycling in Friuli Venezia Giulia, a region that has become a regular fixture on the Giro d’Italia route.
For the organizers, the images from the stage offered a striking portrait of a community united by sport. Packed roadsides, festive gatherings and the dramatic mountain finish combined to create one of the most memorable atmospheres of this year’s edition of the race.
As the Giro heads toward its conclusion in Rome this Sunday, the Piancavallo stage will be remembered not only for its sporting significance but also for the extraordinary public participation that accompanied the riders through the mountains of northeastern Italy.
