The Tour de France spirit took over Parma this week-end

L’Étape Parma: A Landmark Tour de France Gran Fondo in Italy

After debuting in 2024 as one of the most exciting new events on the Italian granfondo calendar—also thanks to the Tour de France’s historic start from Italy—L’Étape Parma 2025 confirmed the city’s place as a destination for major international cycling events, hosting the world’s most prestigious amateur cycling race.

The highlight of the weekend was the Granfondo, with local rider Marco Rinaldi (Pigarella Multisport), from Parma, taking overall victory in the long-distance route. Rinaldi had already secured a strong finish in the 2024 edition of his home event.

Participants could choose between two routes: the long course of 134 km with 2,660 meters of elevation gain, or the short course of 81.1 km with 1,095 meters of elevation gain.

The event was co-organized by Extragiro and the Municipality of Parma, in collaboration with A.S.O. and the Emilia-Romagna Region, and attracted participants from 20 different countries. The start line at Parco Ducale featured a long stream of cyclists that took over five minutes to cross the starting point, with the race launched by Giammaria Manghi, Regional Sports Policy Coordinator for Emilia-Romagna.

All riders had the chance to compete for the iconic Yellow, Polka Dot, Green, and White Tour de France jerseys, embracing the legend of the Tour even more closely.

Among the special guests seen at Parco Ducale over the weekend were former professional cyclists including Gianni Bugno, Davide Cassani, Giancarlo Perini, and Adriano Malori. Also on the course was the Nalini Road Series Ladies team, ambassadors of Italian excellence in cycling apparel and creators of the official yellow-blue “Parma” jersey.

A notable feature of the weekend was the European Media Cycling Contest (ECMM), with dozens of Italian and international journalists competing in their annual challenge.

Race results and jersey winners

Men’s Long Route Podium:

1. Marco Rinaldi (Pigarella Multisport) – 134 km in 3h44’04” at an average speed of 35.720 km/h

2. Giuseppe Orlando (Mg.K Vis-Olmo-Promotech)

3. Ivan Martinelli (ASD HG Cycling Team)

Women’s Long Route Podium:

1. Elisa Leardini (Mg.K Vis-Promotech) – 134 km in 4h25’42” at an average speed of 30.120 km/h

2. Ilaria Lombardo (ASD Team Perini Bike)

3. Lisa De Cesare (Team Cingolani)

Winners of the Jerseys – Long Route:
Yellow Jersey (Tour de France): Marco Rinaldi (Pigarella Multisport)
Polka Dot Jersey: Marco Rinaldi (Pigarella Multisport)
Green Jersey: Nicola Grisenti (Levante Bike ASD)
White Jersey: Giuseppe Orlando (Mg.K Vis-Olmo-Promotech)

Yellow Jersey: Elisa Leardini (Mg.K Vis-Promotech)
Polka Dot Jersey: Roberta Bussone (ASD Rodman Team)
Green Jersey: Elisa Leardini (Mg.K Vis-Promotech)
White Jersey: Camille Marchal

Winners of the Jerseys – Short Route:
Yellow Jersey (Tour de France): Edoardo Balzarini (Veloplus Team)
Polka Dot Jersey: Edoardo Balzarini (Veloplus Team)
Green Jersey: Gabriele Costa (ASD Palermo Running & MTB)
White Jersey: Giovanni Mazzola

Yellow Jersey: Eleonora Calvi (ASD Rodman Team)
Polka Dot Jersey: Eleonora Calvi (ASD Rodman Team)
Green Jersey: Eleonora Calvi (ASD Rodman Team)
White Jersey: Chiara Cavalli (Ciclozero ASD)

Beyond the Race: A Weekend of Rides, Flavors, and Festivities

Both days also featured non-competitive cycling events open to all: on Saturday, May 3, the 45 km “L’Antipasto Étape” ride with a gourmet stop at Corte di Giarola, organized in collaboration with FIAB Parma and with the participation of Parma’s Mayor Michele Guerra and Deputy Mayor Lorenzo Lavagetto; on Sunday, May 4, the 58 km “Food Valley Bike” ride along the Po River, organized in collaboration with Levante Bike and Ingorda.

The beating heart of the event was Parco Ducale, which offered residents, visitors, and participants a vibrant “Villaggio Parma” filled with public events.

Throughout the weekend, visitors enjoyed a cycling outlet, Expo area, food area, tastings of Food Valley specialties, DJ sets, and a special Tour de France exhibition—a journey through both local and international cycling history. There were also children’s activities organized with Federciclismo and Biblioteca di Alice.

The event also hosted a workshop titled “The economic, social, and touristic impact of sports events on local areas” at the Complesso di San Paolo, moderated by Il Sole 24 Ore journalist Ilaria Vesentini and opened by Deputy Mayor Lorenzo Lavagetto. Key insights came from speakers including Davide Cassani (President of APT Servizi Emilia-Romagna), Roberto Lamborghini (President of SG Plus), Francesco Pecci (Professor and CEO of Economics Living Lab), Pierluigi Negri (Director of the Media Valtellina Tourism Consortium), and Giovanni Monge Roffarello (CEO of Officine Mattio and Officine Mattio Cycling Tours).

L’Étape Parma by Tour de France was made possible thanks to the support of Nalini, partner Barilla, mobility sponsor BICI+, technical partners bici.pro, Andriolo, INC Hotels, and TSA Beltrami, as well as international promotional partners L’Étape Greece by Tour de France and Cycling Hero. Institutional support came from the Emilia-Romagna Region, Visit Emilia Romagna, Province of Parma, Municipality of Parma, Parma Welcome, ACSI, FIAB, Museo Digitale Diffuso del Ciclismo, Parchi del Ducato, Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park, and the Municipalities of Collecchio, Langhirano, Lesignano de’ Bagni, Montechiarugolo, Neviano degli Arduini, Tizzano Val Parma, and Sorbolo Mezzani.Strong support also came from many local associations, including ACSI Parma, FIAB Parma, Filippello, Pigarella, Urzano, Cral Amps, Corale Verdi, and many others.