CLASSIC ETHOS

OUR ORIGINS

L'Eroica was born in 1997 in Gaiole in Chianti, a small village in the province of Siena, where creator Giancarlo Brocci, together with 92 hunters of feelings and emotions - as he called them - started the first edition of a magical cycling event; an event combining challenging routes, magnificent landscapes and unforgettable refreshments in a unique way. From the original event in Gaiole, Eroica has grown into a global movement, a network of events attracting tens of thousands of cyclists and fans of all ages around the world.

OCTOBER 1997

Ninety-two hunters of feelings and emotions, sharing the passion for the cycling “duel of the century” between Coppi and Bartali, give life to the first edition of L'Eroica in Gaiole in Chianti to honour and celebrate classic cycling.

9 OCTOBER 2007

The first edition of Europe's “southernmost Northern Classic”, the Monte Paschi Eroica, known today as Strade Bianche, takes place in Siena. Vice-world champion Alexandr Kolobnev wins and riders are bewitched by the charm of the dirt roads, immediately establishing the race among the great classics.

2014

Eroica goes global with the first edition of Eroica Japan, followed by Eroica Britannia in 2015 and Eroica California in 2016.

OCTOBER 2016

The Ciclo Club Eroica is born to allow a growing number of enthusiasts to cultivate the vision of Eroica cycling more intensely.

MARCH 2017

Fabian Cancellara, three-time winner of Monte Paschi Eroica (2008), then Strade Bianche (2012, 2016), inaugurates the memorial dedicated to him on the 11.5 km segment of Monte Sante Marie, an infamous stretch of gravel road of the L'Eroica permanent route.

APRIL 2017

The first edition of NOVA Eroica is held, celebrating the values of heroic cycling and the charm of the white roads even on modern bikes.

FEBRUARY 2020

Eroica Caffè Padova opens its doors

April 2021

The NOVA Eroica format expands with the addition of new events in Italy and Europe

December 2022

Eroica Caffè Milano opens its doors

May 2025

The second Eroica Caffè opens in Milan

OCTOBER 1997

Ninety-two hunters of feelings and emotions, sharing the passion for the cycling “duel of the century” between Coppi and Bartali, give life to the first edition of L'Eroica in Gaiole in Chianti to honour and celebrate classic cycling.

9 OCTOBER 2007

The first edition of Europe's “southernmost Northern Classic”, the Monte Paschi Eroica, known today as Strade Bianche, takes place in Siena. Vice-world champion Alexandr Kolobnev wins and riders are bewitched by the charm of the dirt roads, immediately establishing the race among the great classics.

2014

Eroica goes global with the first edition of Eroica Japan, followed by Eroica Britannia in 2015 and Eroica California in 2016.

OCTOBER 2016

The Ciclo Club Eroica is born to allow a growing number of enthusiasts to cultivate the vision of Eroica cycling more intensely.

MARCH 2017

Fabian Cancellara, three-time winner of Monte Paschi Eroica (2008), then Strade Bianche (2012, 2016), inaugurates the memorial dedicated to him on the 11.5 km segment of Monte Sante Marie, an infamous stretch of gravel road of the L'Eroica permanent route.

APRIL 2017

The first edition of NOVA Eroica is held, celebrating the values of heroic cycling and the charm of the white roads even on modern bikes.

FEBRUARY 2020

Eroica Caffè Padova opens its doors

April 2021

The NOVA Eroica format expands with the addition of new events in Italy and Europe

December 2022

Eroica Caffè Milano opens its doors

May 2025

The second Eroica Caffè opens in Milan

THE HEROIC SPIRIT

The beauty of fatigue and the thrill of conquest Eroica is more than a cycling event; it is a lifestyle. It’s what leads us to face our difficulties with tenacity and patience and appreciate times of struggle as a challenge gratefully accepted. Riding vintage bikes on gravel roads recalls the heroic cycling of Coppi and Bartali and recovers the core values of a great sport still able to fulfil the needs of today through the experience of fatigue in all its raw grandeur. More than just a challenge, Eroica also seeks to reawaken a taste for adventure, the unexpected and the journey. A way to relaunch cycling, create respect between riders and inspire new models for sports and life.

THE WHITE ROADS

The magic of the Eroica owes much of its charm to the dust of the white roads of Tuscany. So it’s no coincidence that attention to this iconic feature of the region and its protection has always been one of our pivotal goals. From Gaiole in Chianti to Val d'Orcia, across the Val d'Arbia and up to Montalcino, through farmhouses and vineyards, the two hundred kilometers of the L’Eroica long course have become a permanent route that can be traveled all year round. A heritage that L'Eroica has safeguarded, making sure that the white roads remain unpaved and have become a symbol and resource that have helped the region to develop as a famous tourist destination for cyclists worldwide.

INSPIRATION

BIKE

Eroica rides are organized exclusively for Bici Eroiche (Historical Bikes); road-racing bikes built in 1987 or earlier, both with and without gears. These bikes normally have a steel frame with shift levers on the down tube and brake cables that must pass outside and over the handlebars. Pedals should be with toe clips and straps; quick release or clipless pedals are not allowed. Vintage-style bikes, clothing and accessories are recommended, provided they exhibit the approved characteristics.

CLOTHING

Clothing must be of classic inspiration, such as wool jerseys and bib shorts, or acrylic or other materials that were used until the late ‘80s. Clothing or accessories with technical materials of recent manufacture, including sunglasses, should be avoided.

ACCESSORIES

The choice of accessories - such as shoes, hats and water bottles – should comply with the spirit of our events. The only modern accessory that is allowed and recommended for use is the modern safety helmet, which in some countries may be mandatory. We therefore invite you to read the regulations of the event you wish to attend carefully.

Luciano Berruti - The Heroic Number 1

"Luciano Berruti, born in 1943, is our number one by acclamation. I have always written about him as if he were an older brother, someone who embodied all the values I was trying to convey with L'Eroica. He wasn't there at the premiere on 5 October 1997, simply because he hadn't heard about it. From the second edition onwards, he never missed a single one until his sudden departure on 13 August 2017, on his bike and serene, as usual. Luciano was our faithful companion on every important adventure abroad, able to speak the universal language of smiles, emotions and feelings."

- Giancarlo Brocci

NICOLA GANDOLFI

Nel 2013 Nicola ha fatto L’Eroica sulla sua Terrot a un rapporto. La bici è stata costruita tra il 1910 e il 1915.

DUCCIO VIERI

Dal 2002 Duccio ha partecipato a tutte le edizioni de L’Eroica in sella alla sua Gerbi del 1925 (giro-ruota con 44x18 and 44x21). La maglia indossata è una replica fedele di quella del Diavolo Rosso Giovanni Gerbi.

NATHALIE LABAT

Questa foto di Nathalie è de L’Eroica del 2010. E’ una delle rarissime donne che si vedono all’evento con una bicicletta così vecchia, una Moro degli anni ’20.

ANDREA LAZZIZZERA

La Wolsit con cambio Vittoria Margherita a 3 velocità è stata la compagna di viaggio di Andrea all’Eroica Primavera del 2015. Andrea aiuta L’Eroica come esperto di bici da catalogare nel registro delle bici eroiche.

BILLY FURLANETTO

Con la sua Wilier del 1983 montata Campagnolo Super Record del 50° Billy ha pedalato per 200km a tutte le edizioni de L’Eroica dal 2006.

LUCIANO BERRUTI

Ritratto sul percorso di 50 miglia ad Eroica Britannia nel 2015 con la sua Peugeot dei primi del 1900, Luciano è la persona che ha meglio impersonato lo spirito Eroica dal 1998.

NOVA ETHOS

THE ORIGINS

Race. Ride. Relax. The spirit of NOVA Eroica is encapsulated in these three words: a gravel race in pure Eroica style, created to enjoy all the magic of the dirt roads even on modern bikes and with a touch of competition.

THE SPIRIT

NOVA Eroica is a Gravel GranFondo, more than just a gravel race, not just a granfondo. With its Eroica-style refreshment points, the unique format of NOVA Eroica is open to road bikes, gravel bikes and cyclocross bikes. NOVA Eroica allows you to discover the dirt roads of Tuscany, alternating moments of intense competition in the timed sections with transfer sections where you can enjoy the company of other cyclists.

NOVA EROICA LEGENDS

JACEK BERRUTI

Jacek è il figlio di Luciano, e come il padre è un grande appassionato di ciclismo. Assieme a Luciano ha seguito il mondo Eroica fin dalle sue origini e ha partecipato a le edizioni di NOVA Eroica in sella alla sua Gios Torino.

MATTIA PAGANOTTI

Dal 2002 Duccio ha partecipato a tutte le edizioni de L’Eroica in sella alla sua Gerbi del 1925 (giro-ruota con 44x18 and 44x21). La maglia indossata è una replica feMattia, in arte Legor Cicli, costruisce in maniera ancora del tutto artigianale telai esclusivamente in acciaio. Un vero appassionato delle due ruote a pedali che ha partecipato a tutte le edizioni di NOVA Eroica, compresa quella in California!dele di quella del Diavolo Rosso Giovanni Gerbi.

CHRISTIAN MEIER

Da quando si è ritirato come professionista nel 2016 Christian ha iniziato fin da subito a cimentarsi negli eventi gravel fino a trovare NOVA Eroica nel 2018, dove il giusto mix di competizione e spirito di gruppo in una bellissima cornice toscana hanno fatto innamorare Christian di questo evento.