Rosario Costa Memorial

A race born from a promise

The Rosario Costa Memorial is a youth cycling race held in Villafranca Tirrena, in the province of Messina, on the town track known as the Ex Pirelli circuit. The event is organized by Team Nibali, a historic local cycling club, and was created to honor the memory of Rosario Costa, a young athlete from the team who died in a tragic road accident. Since then, the race has renewed the bond between sport and remembrance every year, turning a day of competition into a moment of shared reflection for families, friends, officials, and enthusiasts.

Race categories

The Memorial is dedicated to youth cycling and features the Esordienti and Allievi categories, sometimes joined by the Giovanissimi (G1-G6) categories in larger editions. On the Ex Pirelli circuit, a town loop that has hosted hundreds of young riders over the years, the athletes compete in speed and endurance tests under the watchful eyes of a warm crowd of relatives and fans. The race is an important stage in the regional promotional calendar, designed to nurture young talent in Sicily.

More than a race: remembering Rosario

The Rosario Costa Memorial is, above all, a gesture of affection. His memory lives on in the hearts of his family, friends, athletes, and the management of Team Nibali, who renew their commitment every year to remember a figure who remains unforgettable to the entire team. It is no coincidence that in some editions, the event has expanded to become a triple memorial, also dedicated to other young members of the club who passed away, all united by the same passion for cycling. The race traditionally concludes with a commemorative award presented to the Costa family.

Villafranca Tirrena and Team Nibali

Villafranca Tirrena, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea just a few kilometers from Messina, is a town deeply connected to sports and cycling culture. Team Nibali proudly carries on its grassroots activities, investing in youth sectors and organizing events each season that make this small Sicilian town a reference point for promotional cycling on the island. The Rosario Costa Memorial is the symbol of this commitment: a day where sport becomes an opportunity for community, remembrance, and growth for the new generation of riders.