Eroica Montalcino

A journey through time in the Brunello hills

Eroica Montalcino is one of the flagship events of the Eroica movement, which originated in Gaiole in Chianti to celebrate vintage cycling and the culture of Tuscany's white gravel roads. In Montalcino, a stunning medieval village perched in the province of Siena, the event transforms the historic center into a stage of colors, dust, and passion every late May, drawing thousands of cyclists from all over the world to the heart of Tuscany.

Five routes on the white gravel roads

The heart of the experience is the Sunday ride, starting from Piazza del Popolo. The tracks wind through the iconic white gravel roads of the Val d'Orcia and the Brunello hills, passing through historic villages such as Buonconvento, Bagno Vignoni, Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, and Castelnuovo dell'Abate. The five routes are designed for every level of fitness:

• Lungo Eroico — approx. 153 km, the most challenging route
• Medio Val d'Orcia — approx. 96 km
• Medio Crete Senesi — approx. 70 km, one of the most popular
• Brunello — approx. 46 km
• Passeggiata Eroica — approx. 36 km, ideal for a leisurely exploration of the territory

More than just a race: a widespread festival

Eroica Montalcino is much more than a bike ride: it is a multi-day festival that brings the village to life with meetings, book presentations, live music, tastings of Brunello wine and local products, exhibitions dedicated to the history of cycling, and convivial moments in the neighborhoods of Montalcino. From cultural appointments and sustainability workshops to heroic dinners, the entire community joins in the celebration.

The Eroica spirit

What makes the event unique is its philosophy: participants ride bicycles built before 1987, often wearing wool jerseys and vintage clothing. It is not about the stopwatch, but the "beauty of fatigue," the joy of the challenge, and respect for the landscape. Every year, the event attracts participants from over thirty nations, with a strong international presence that makes Montalcino a world capital of historical cycling.

Montalcino and the Brunello territory

A municipality in the province of Siena, in Tuscany, Montalcino is world-famous for its Brunello, one of Italy's most prestigious red wines. Its hills, part of the Val d'Orcia landscape recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, offer an incomparable backdrop: cypress trees, vineyards, clay hills, and ancient villages create the perfect setting for an event that combines sport, tradition, food and wine, and a love for the land.