Giro 2024:- Stage 6: Torre del Lago Puccini – Rapolano Terme, 180.0km ***Spoilers***

Stage 6: Torre del Lago Puccini (Viareggio) – Rapolano Terme, 180.0km

May 9th

Start Time: 11-55BST.

A demanding stage characterised by a hilly second part and three gravel sectors totalling almost 12 km. The first two are shared with the Strade Bianche, the third is a new one. After a flat run-up in the Pisa hinterland as far as Volterra, the peloton will enter the Senese province and face the dirt section of Vidritta, which, compared to the Strade Bianche, is 2 km longer. The Bagnaia section follows just a few hundred metres later, featuring gradients of up to 15% as well as the second KOM of the day. Before Asciano, the Pievina is tackled. Very demanding finale with the wall of Serre di Rapolano.The riders set off from Tuscan seaside resort Viareggio to travel to the thermal springs town Rapolano Terme. The 180 kilometres long route takes in an elevation gain of 1,900 metres.

map

final kilometres

The last km are complicated and feature tricky bends and ups and downs. Of note at about 5 km from the finish line is the Serre di Rapolano climb, with gradients of up to 20% in the finale. The final straight is a 450 m stretch on asphalt with a width of 6 m and a gradient of around 6 %.

Torre del Lago Puccini (Viareggio)

Overview

Viareggio is mainly seen as a seaside resort because a long, sandy beach bathed by the waters of the Mediterranean flanks the town. However, it can also boast close proximity to the mountains of the hinterland, the Lake of Massaciuccoli and the protected areas of the Park of Migliarino and San Rossore. The town plays host to a number of national and international cultural and sporting events throughout the year including the Viareggio Carnival, which this year celebrates its 150th anniversary, the Puccini Festival, the Rèpaci Literature Prize and the Viareggio Cup World Football Tournament.

Food

Traditional dishes that must be tried during a stay in Viareggio

Cacciucco alla Viareggina

Cacciucco alla Viareggina is a traditional Italian seafood soup originating from Viareggio. This cacciucco version is lighter than the one made in Livorno, and it has a red broth. It also doesn't contain sage and has a slightly sweet aftertaste due to generous amounts of seafood and shellfish in the soup. The stock is made with celery, carrots, bay leaves, and fish heads, while the fish stew is made with garlic, chili peppers, olive oil, cuttlefish, octopus, lots of low value fish, tomato paste, white wine, mussels, and mantis shrimp. The soup is served with the mussels on top and a slice of bread rubbed with garlic on the side.

“Scarpaccia”

Finally, a dessert that isn’t sweet at all but which is usually eaten not only at the end of a meal but also as a snack during the day. A cake featuring finely sliced courgettes as the main ingredient. The resulting flavour, a mixture of sweet and savoury, delights the taste buds. Discover it for yourself!

Rapolano Terme

Overview

The municipality of Rapolano Terme extends between the wooded hills of Chianti, the Val di Chiana and the Crete Senesi. This stretch of land is a work of art created by the effort and hard work of farmers, artisans and the ingenuity of its inhabitants. An endless piece of land made of villages, parish churches, castles and farms.

Local Cusine

This land grows high quality products such as cereals, olives, vines, or can also be left for grazing. Excellent oil, delicious vegetables, top quality meat and fragrant pecorino cheese, made from the milk of sheep that are lucky enough to feed on the variety of herbs available in the area. The cuisine is the traditional and essential one of rural Tuscany. Vegetable soups, bread soups that become “ribollite” the next day, fresh handmade pasta, and barbecued meat. Rapolano boasts a dessert called the “focaccia rapolanese”, a delicacy that can only be tasted in local bakeries and restaurants. Two disks of short pastry and almonds enclosing a mouth-watering pastry cream.