Gran Premio della Liberazione

A spring classic in the heart of Rome

The Gran Premio della Liberazione is much more than a cycling race: it is a piece of Rome's sporting and civic history. The first edition dates back to 1946, in the aftermath of the war, and since then the event has remained faithful to the symbolic date of April 25th, Liberation Day. In 2026, the event reached its 79th edition, confirming its status as one of the longest-running and most prestigious events on the Italian cycling calendar.

The race takes place in the Municipality of Rome, in the Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio, on a city circuit of approximately 6 kilometers laid out around the Terme di Caracalla (Baths of Caracalla), between the Aventine Hill and the San Saba district. It is a demanding track, with constant undulations and technical corners that offer no respite and have built the race's reputation over time.

The "Spring World Championships"

The flagship event is the Men's Under-23 race, which experts and insiders have called the Spring World Championships for decades. The reason is simple: teams from all over the world line up at the start, and the roll of honor is a true anthology of future professionals. In the 2026 edition, 154 riders representing 28 teams and 19 nations took the start, with squads arriving from Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Denmark, Slovenia, and the Principality of Monaco. The victory went to the Piedmontese rider Mirko Bozzola, who made a decisive move in the final kilometers.

More than just Under-23

Over the years, the Gran Premio has transformed into a true cycling festival spanning two days, held within the framework of the Lazio Bike Days. Alongside the main event, the program includes:

• youth races for juniors, cadets, and beginners, which open the program;
• the elite women's race, now one of the most followed international events of the Italian spring;
• amateur and master races;
• the kids category, dedicated to the youngest cyclists;
• the non-competitive Bike4Fun ride, open to everyone, adults and children alike.

In total, the event attracts over two thousand athletes every year, making it one of the most well-attended sporting days in the capital.

Bike4Fun and the spirit of solidarity

The Bike4Fun is an eco-friendly, non-competitive ride that follows the classic race route: from Caracalla towards Porta Ardeatina, the Pyramid of Cestius, and the Colosseum. It is not a race, but a way to cycle through one of the most beautiful archaeological routes in Europe. Proceeds from registrations and donations support ANED Sport and AIDO, the Italian association for organ donation: participants receive official event merchandise.

A unique atmosphere

Attending the Gran Premio della Liberazione means watching the peloton speed past the ruins of the imperial baths, with the public crowded along the barriers of Viale delle Terme di Caracalla. Admission is free, and the atmosphere is that of a great Roman popular celebration: families, enthusiasts, local cycling clubs from Lazio, and foreign fans cheering for their riders. Those who arrive early can enjoy the whole day, from the first youth races in the morning to the final sprint in the afternoon.

Why it's worth attending

Few races manage to combine sport, historical memory, and archaeological heritage in this way. On April 25th in Rome, cycling becomes an occasion for civic celebration, and the Caracalla circuit transforms into an open-air stadium. For enthusiasts, it is also a chance to see, for free, the riders who will be competing in the Giro d'Italia or the Tour de France within a few years.