Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale di Coppi e Bartali (2.1)

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The race:

Despite its 2.1 rating, the Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale di Coppi e Bartali (International Cycling Week of Coppi and Bartali) is one of the most important stage races on the Italian calender.

The 1996 and 1997 editions were integrated with the Giro di Sardegna. In 1999 and 2000 it was run as the Memorial Cecchi Gori. In 2001 it took on its current name, devoted to the memory of Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali.

The 2003 edition was notable because it was the last time the late Marco Pantani stood on the podium of a professional bike race when he came in second in the final stage. In remembrance, his back number in that race, 145, has been retired.

The Settimana Internazionale is currently run over five days in late March on the roads of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.