by InTrieste
The FVG city of Gorizia is preparing to host a stage of the Giro d’Italia on Saturday, with festivities, infrastructure adjustments, and heightened security accompanying the arrival of one of the world’s most prominent cycling races.
The 14th stage of the 108th edition of the Giro will conclude in Piazza Transalpina, a square that straddles the Italian-Slovenian border. In a symbolic gesture, the awards podium will be set up half in Italy and half in Slovenia, underscoring the cross-border collaboration promoted by GO! 2025, the joint European Capital of Culture initiative.
The stage, which covers 196 kilometers from Treviso to Nova Gorica-Gorizia, is expected to draw more than 700,000 spectators from around the world. The event has prompted extensive coordination between local authorities, law enforcement, and emergency services to manage crowds and ensure smooth transit in and around the city.
The Italian Air Force’s Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team conducted a rehearsal flight over the city earlier today and will return Saturday afternoon for an aerial performance during the post-race celebrations. Cultural performances will also take place in Piazza Transalpina before the riders arrive. At 1:30 p.m., traditional dance groups from Lucinico and Santa Gorizia are scheduled to perform, followed by a concert from the military band of the Pozzuolo del Friuli Brigade, featuring a mix of ceremonial marches and contemporary music.
To accommodate spectators and minimize disruption for residents, two designated parking areas have been established: one in via Toscolano and another at the Casermette in the Montesanto area. City officials have advised those planning to attend or travel through Gorizia on Saturday to arrive early and expect temporary closures and restricted access along the race route.
Daily planning meetings between municipal agencies and police forces have focused on securing the course while limiting the impact on daily life. Authorities emphasized that the objective is to balance public safety, traffic management, and the festive nature of the occasion.
The Giro d’Italia’s presence in Gorizia, a city with a complex 20th-century history shaped by shifting borders, is intended not only as a sporting event but also as a moment to highlight cultural and political cooperation in a previously divided region.
