Giro della Toscana Internazionale Femminile – Memorial Michela Fanini – Time Trial Prologue in Chiesina Uzzanese

A landmark race in Tuscan women's cycling

The Giro della Toscana Internazionale Femminile – Memorial Michela Fanini stands as one of the most prestigious stage races on the Italian women's cycling calendar. The event is dedicated to the memory of Michela Fanini, a champion from Lucca who won the Giro d'Italia Femminile in 1994 before her untimely passing the following year. Since then, her father, patron Brunello Fanini, has kept her legacy alive through the cycling club bearing her name, organizing this international race that now serves as a benchmark for the world's top female cyclists.

The time trial prologue in Chiesina Uzzanese

The 30th edition in 2026 brings an exciting first: the race will start in Chiesina Uzzanese, a charming town in the Valdinievole area of Pistoia, in the heart of Tuscany. The opening stage is an individual time trial prologue of just over two kilometers, winding through the historic center. With the start and finish lines located near the Town Hall, the route features several technical corners that will make the race against the clock truly gripping.

The entire cycling caravan will be based in town for the day, from morning until late afternoon, covering registration, team presentations, the time trial itself, and the final awards ceremony. For the community of Chiesina Uzzanese, this is a major international event and a source of great local pride.

The athletes and teams

Approximately 170 athletes from about 25 teams are expected to compete, including five World Tour squads representing every continent. Sprinters, climbers, and all-rounders will battle it out on a course designed to showcase the diverse talents of the peloton.

Subsequent stages

Following the prologue in Chiesina Uzzanese, the race continues over the following days, passing through other Tuscan locations:

• Serravalle Pistoiese – Quarrata
• Segromigno in Piano (Capannori)
• Lucca/Capannori – Montecatini Terme, with the grand finale in the spa town

The route connects municipalities across the provinces of Pistoia and Lucca, highlighting the stunning landscapes of the Valdinievole, the Lucca plain, and the rolling Tuscan hills.

An event not to be missed

The Memorial Michela Fanini is more than just a top-tier sporting competition; it is a vibrant community celebration and a showcase for the region. Watching the prologue live, with crowds lining the barriers in the center of Chiesina Uzzanese, offers the unique thrill of seeing some of the world's best cyclists up close.