Novi Ligure – Castellania -Carrega: the legends of cycling, in the lands of the Campionissimi

Day 1

Arrival to Novi Ligure. Here the suffix immediately recalls the influence of the Republic of Genoa, which dominated these territories for 300 years. It can be found in its elegant historic centre, in its frescoed buildings and in its cuisine. The streets of the centre converge into Piazza delle Piane, with the name of the historic noble family of Genoa, onto which face the homonymous building, the Collegiate Church and Palazzo Negroni.
Just outside the centre, don't miss out on a visit to the Museum of Campionissimi: set up in an industrial building of the early 20th century, it has a special set-up with a central track which divides and organises the exhibition space and represents the evolution of the road surface. The heart of the museum is the Room of the campionissimi dedicated to Coppi and Girardengo with memorabilia and documentary evidence of their epic feats.
Dinner in osteria of the centre with tasting of farinata, typical focaccia made with chickpeas and baked in the oven.
Overnight accommodation in the historic residence Tenuta La Marchesa immersed among the vineyards close to Novi.

Day 2

Breakfast and departure of the cycle-tour stage in front of the Museum. The itinerary of 78 km winds between medieval villages and hills, passing from Castellania birthplace of the Heron Fausto Coppi and from Garbagna one of the most beautiful villages of Italy, before climbing towards the Apennines to Carrega Ligure, one of the most distant places of the province of Alessandria.
On arrival of the stage, stop at the remains of the Castle of Malaspina Fieschi Doria to enjoy the surrounding landscape and for a souvenir photo at the tree of peace, entrusted by the Green Legacy association to the town and born from the seeds of the trees that survived Hiroshima. Return transfer with equipped van and stop at Cantalupo Ligure for a moment of rest in a well-known winery which produces Timorasso: the wine-growing landscape of Costa Merlassino has been awarded UNESCO world heritage status. Return to the Tenuta and relax in the swimming pool of the facility or by the lake belonging to the estate, before dinner.

LENGTH - 78 KM
DIFFERENCE IN ALTITUDE - 1,751 M
MINIMUM ALTITUDE - 485 M
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE - 2,180 M
BIKES - ROAD - GRAVEL

Day 3

After breakfast we climb the hills towards Liguria to reach Voltaggio, a magnificent village on the River Lemme in the area of the Capanne di Marcarolo Natural Park.
The village will surprise you with the Roman bridge dei Paganini and the Capuchin Convent which is home to a Picture Gallery with 17th century Genoese paintings of extraordinary value. On the return route, stop in Gavi, orange flag TCI village, where the walk through the historic centre will end in a pastry shop to purchase the well-known local pastries called amaretti.