Gravel del Mais

A cycling coincidence among the cornfields

The Gravel del Mais is an event that every autumn draws hundreds of cycling enthusiasts to Vigone, a small town in the Pinerolo area within the Metropolitan City of Turin (Piedmont). The organizers ironically define it as a "cycling coincidence": it is not a timed competition, but an opportunity to ride in good company through the cornfields, riverbanks, and gravel roads of the Pinerolo plains.

Three routes between dirt and asphalt

The event offers three tracks designed for every level of fitness, all almost completely flat:

• 50 km — the shortest loop, ideal for those new to gravel or looking for a leisurely ride;
• 70 km — the intermediate distance, balanced between dirt and asphalt sections;
• 100 km — the long route, for those seeking a full day in the saddle among the fields.

The tracks consist of approximately 70% gravel and 30% asphalt on public roads open to traffic. They are suitable for gravel bikes, cyclocross bikes, mountain bikes, and even e-bikes. The GPS track for the routes can be downloaded from the official website and the Komoot platform.

Open to all, free and non-competitive

Participation in Gravel del Mais is free, and registration is optional but recommended to assist with organization. As this is an open ride on roads accessible to traffic, the use of a protective helmet is mandatory for safety reasons, and everyone is responsible for their own behavior on the road. The meeting point is set at Piazza Clemente Corte, along the Viali della Lea, with staggered starts throughout the morning.

An event linked to the Mais e Cavalli Fair

Gravel del Mais was born and has grown in tandem with the Mais e Cavalli Fair, the major national general fair that the Pro Loco of Vigone organizes during the same weekend in October. While cyclists ride through the fields, the town comes alive with equestrian shows, agricultural conferences, exhibitions, "saddle baptisms" for children, and the Gastronomic Pavilion featuring dishes based on polenta and corn. Participants in the ride can also take advantage of meal discounts at the fair's food pavilion, rounding off the day with the flavors of Vigone tradition.

A different way to discover the Pinerolo area

Reaching its eighth edition in 2026, Gravel del Mais has carved out a permanent spot in the Piedmontese gravel calendar. More than a sporting event, it is an invitation to experience the agricultural landscape of the plains between Vigone and neighboring towns at a slow pace, in a season—autumn—when the cornfields and the colors of the Pinerolo area offer their most evocative face.