Targa Crocifisso

A noble classic of Puglian cycling

The Targa Crocifisso is among the most long-standing and cherished road races in Puglia. Reaching its 75th edition in 2025, it takes place at the end of September in Polignano a Mare, in the province of Bari, and has become a staple of the regional cycling calendar. Reserved for Elite and Under 23 categories, the race is a true late-summer classic that combines high-level competition with local promotion, bringing the champions of tomorrow along the roads between the Murgia and the sea.

The route between Murgia and the Adriatic

The race unfolds over a challenging circuit of approximately 27 kilometers, repeated six times, for a total of over 160 km. The track crosses the main arteries of Polignano a Mare, the local provincial roads (SP 120 and SP 114), and the territories of the neighboring towns of Conversano and Monopoli, before returning for the finish in the center of Polignano. It is a hilly and selective route, where the repeated climbs reward the most complete and consistent riders.

Organization and territory

The event is organized by A.S.D. Polisport Polignano, the historic local cycling club, with the patronage of the Municipality of Polignano a Mare, the support of the Puglia Region, and under the aegis of the Italian Cycling Federation. The Targa Crocifisso is part of the Giro di Puglia Challenge, the circuit that brings together the great Puglian road classics in late September, including the Coppa Messapica in Ceglie Messapica.

A celebration of sport for the city

For Polignano a Mare, the Targa Crocifisso is much more than a race: it is a festive day that brings the streets and squares of the town of trulli and sea caves to life, with crowds gathered along the circuit to cheer on the athletes. The race represents a piece of Puglia's sporting history and continues to pass down, from generation to generation, the passion for road cycling in one of the most picturesque locations on the Adriatic.