Green Fondo Paolo Bettini - La Geotermia

A ride through the Tuscany you never expected

The Green Fondo Paolo Bettini - La Geotermia is much more than a simple cycling race: it is a journey into the geothermal heart of Tuscany, in the Alta Val di Cecina area between the municipalities of Pomarance and Castelnuovo di Val di Cecina, in the province of Pisa. Here, the landscape takes on a lunar quality: hissing steam vents, iridescent lagoons, fumaroles, and geothermal power plants alternate with medieval villages and the Colline Metallifere (Metalliferous Hills) that shaped the region's mining history.

An event signed by Paolo Bettini

The event bears the name of its creator and host, Paolo Bettini, the 2004 Athens Olympic champion and two-time road world champion, who hails from this very corner of Tuscany. For him, the Green Fondo is first and foremost a way to help people discover his home: "an opportunity to show my land to those who haven't discovered it yet," as he likes to say. The organization is managed by ASD VeloEtruria Pomarance, a historic local sports club, with the patronage of the municipalities of Pomarance and Castelnuovo di Val di Cecina.

Three routes for every level

The beauty of the Green Fondo is that it caters to everyone, from the Sunday cyclist to the trained amateur. Each edition offers three tracks of varying lengths that wind through San Dalmazio, Larderello, Montecastelli Pisano, Monterotondo Marittimo, Sasso Pisano, and the villages scattered across the hills:

• Light Route: the shortest and most accessible, ideal for those who want to enjoy the scenery without rushing, between the medieval village of San Dalmazio and the Larderello geothermal area.
• Classic Route: the true symbol of the event, touching the lagoons and the most evocative scenery of the geothermal zone.
• Marathon Route: the most challenging, with an extended loop that reaches Micciano, the Strada della Cinquantina, Ponteginori, and the Borgo del Cerreto.

More than just a race: a festive weekend

The Green Fondo is also about conviviality: the program is enriched with moments dedicated to families, such as the gymkhana for children, and the unmissable Cyclist's Dinner, featuring a barbecue supervised by Paolo Bettini himself. Over the years, the event has grown to attract nearly three hundred participants from all over Italy, becoming a staple for those who love slow cycling, good food, and the authentic landscapes of the province of Pisa.