Granfondo Via del Sale – Cervia Cycling Festival

A Spring Classic on the Romagna Riviera

The Granfondo Via del Sale – Cervia Cycling Festival is one of the most beloved road cycling granfondos in Italy and the true event that opens the amateur season in Emilia-Romagna. Organized by the Fantini Club, the event takes place in Cervia, a well-known seaside resort in the province of Ravenna, and attracts around 3,000 cyclists from all over Italy and abroad each year.

The name recalls the historic "salt road", the ancient route that connected the salt pans of Cervia to the hinterland: a tribute to the identity of the territory, which is reflected in the route and the atmosphere of the event. The start and finish are set on Lungomare Grazia Deledda, directly overlooking the Adriatic Sea, a setting that makes this granfondo unique in the national scene.

From the Sea to the Hills of Romagna

The charm of the Via del Sale lies in the contrast between the start on the coast and the climbs in the Romagna hinterland. After the first flat kilometers along the coast, the routes venture into the hills between the provinces of Ravenna and Forlì-Cesena, tackling challenging and selective ascents that make the difference in the rankings. It is a granfondo that rewards legs and mind, suitable for both competitors and amateur cyclists looking for an early-season challenge.

More Than Just a Race: The Cervia Cycling Festival

The Cervia Cycling Festival, an entire weekend dedicated to two wheels, develops around the competition. A large expo area with the latest in cycling is set up on the seafront, while the program includes talks and masterclasses on nutrition, physical preparation, and training, as well as side events and activities in the Riviera area. The traditional Bike Breakfast with coffee offered to all cyclists before the start is now a ritual that kicks off the race day.

An Event for the Entire Territory

The Granfondo Via del Sale is much more than a race: it is a celebration that involves the entire city of Cervia and the Riviera, with a strong impact on low-season tourism and a great ability to combine the passion for cycling with the love for good food and the landscapes of Romagna. The event is part of a broader calendar organized by Fantini Club, which also includes gravel and cycle touring events throughout the year.