The Crossing Viareggio–Monaco

The Crossing arrives in Viareggio

For the first time, the renowned charity water bike crossing The Crossing has chosen Italy as its starting point: on June 19 and 20, 2026, the coastline of Viareggio, the pearl of Versilia in the province of Lucca, becomes the stage for one of the most spectacular sporting challenges in the Mediterranean. From the pier of the Circolo Nautico, the teams launch themselves toward the Principality of Monaco, the final finish line on Larvotto Beach, after approximately 225 kilometers of open sea.

The initiative, promoted by the Fondation Princesse Charlène de Monaco, was created to raise public awareness about swimming instruction, water safety, and drowning prevention, while also promoting the educational values of sport. The 2026 edition marks the first official collaboration with the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, adding a strong commitment to marine conservation to the charitable cause.

A route through the Pelagos Sanctuary

The course crosses the Pelagos Sanctuary, a vast marine protected area shared by Italy, France, and Monaco, dedicated to the protection of marine mammals such as dolphins and whales. The crossing, renamed for the occasion Together Crossing for the Pelagos, thus combines the competitive dimension with an environmental message: pedaling at sea to remind us how fragile and precious this stretch of the Mediterranean is.

Exceptional athletes

Champions and personalities from the world of sport line up at the Viareggio starting line. Among the names announced for 2026 are four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, the Dane Jakob Fuglsang, and Italian sprinter Filippo Pozzato, joined by figures such as Alessandro Pier Guidi, winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and record-breaking freediver Pierre Frolla. The teams, each composed of four athletes, take turns without stopping to cover the entire distance.

Viareggio, a city of sea and sport

Known throughout Italy for its Carnival and its long maritime tradition, Viareggio confirms its vocation as a seaside city by hosting an international event that brings the spotlight of the Monegasque jet set to the Tuscan coast. The expected presence of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène adds further prestige to an event that weaves together elite sport, charity, and the promotion of the Versilia and Tuscany region.

How to follow the challenge

The organization provides an online donation platform to support the teams and a real-time race tracking system, allowing you to follow the crossing minute by minute. This is not a competition open to amateur participants, but a challenge reserved for selected teams: however, anyone can watch the start from the Viareggio pier and cheer on the athletes as they embark on the long night at sea.