THE SUCCESS NUMBERS OF GHISALLO IN GIALLO AND SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 COMES THE BINDA CYCLING FESTIVAL EXHIBITION THEN LOMBARDIA (OCTOBER 12) AND A HOMAGE TO LUIGI GANNA (OCTOBER 26)
The Madonna del Ghisallo Cycling Museum in Magreglio is heading into the final part of its museum season. It culminated, this year due to the exceptional departure of the Tour de France from Italy, with the “Ghisallo in Giallo” exhibition dedicated to the Tour de France that just closed its doors. It was an extraordinary success, a display and a tale through memorabilia and images, which moved so many people, Italian, French, foreign: the people of Cycling who have no age or even country, but the word “passion” and “memories” on their international identity card. The numbers speak for themselves: the exhibition was enjoyed by 6868 visitors, of which 3780 made in Italy and the remaining foreigners. The 10 nations that most visited “Ghisallo in Giallo” created this special top ten with Italy in the lead (3780 visitors), followed by: Germany (386), the United States (376), France (355), Australia (324), England (191), the Netherlands (185), Belgium (157), Spain (118) and Poland (115). Staying among the numbers: a total of 132 pieces of memorabilia were on display, including: 64 jerseys plus Tadej Pogacar’s freshly won yellow jersey, 2024 edition. Vincenzo Nibali, who had initially lent his yellow jersey for the special exhibition, then decided to donate it to the Museum: thus, it remains in the new Ghisallo in Giallo Collection. Then 32 objects, 18 bikes and more than 13 publications dedicated to the Tour were on display. And again: four thrilling trophies. All this thanks to a collective of generous and passionate lenders, 21 in all, including: 10 private lenders (Natale Bolgè, CiclOfficina Gigi Farè, Giorgio Cimurri, Beppe Conti, Mirco Monti, Alberto Elli, Andrea De Luca, Mario Baio, Fabio Corbetta, Bruno Carraro); 6 companies (Nalini, Santini, BMC, Colnago, Pinarello, Lasvit); 5 museums (Spazio Pantani, Museo del Falegname Tino Sana, Koersmuseum Roeselare, Musee du Velo – Marc-Andre Elsig, Pirelli Foundation). “in the cyclists’ house” will remain 5 bicycles and 21 jerseys, where they were already kept. NEXT STAGE: A HOMAGE TO THE VARESINI – Starting Saturday, September 14, in fact, the space dedicated to temporary exhibitions at the Madonna del Ghisallo Cycling Museum in Magreglio will be devoted to a new exhibition that is part of the Binda Cycling Festival 2024 (third event). The exhibition opens at 11 a.m. and is entitled ” Varese cyclists. The champions of heroic cycling at Ghisallo ”. It is part of the rich calendar of cultural events related to cycling and the Varese area that will frame the Tre Valli Varesine in October, organized by the Alfredo Binda Cycling Society. THE CONCEPT OF THE EXHIBITION-The link between the Varese area and cycling has its roots in the early days of this sport: its hills and mountains have been an ideal setting, becoming a natural testing ground for cyclists. No wonder, then, that the area was the birthplace of many athletes who went on to have careers in professional cycling. Prominent among them are those of two cycling greats: Luigi Ganna, a native of Induno Olona, winner of the first edition of the Giro d’Italia in 1909, and that of Alfredo Binda, a native of Cittiglio, winner of five editions of the Giro d’Italia, three-time World Champion and triumphant in other Monumental Classics. Alongside these two prominent cyclists are other emblazoned athletes originally from the Varese area, though less known to the masses. This is the example of Remo Bertoni, silver medalist at the World Professional Championships in Rome in 1932 or Severino Canavesi, a native of Gorla Maggiore, Italian cyclocross champion in 1934 and Italian road champion in 1945. Franco Giorgetti, on the other hand, was Olympic champion in the team pursuit in Antwerp in 1920 and won 14 Six Days in the United States. And again Michele Mara, winner of a Milan – San Remo and silver medalist at the 1928 World Championships, Bernardo Rogora winner of the Tour of Catalonia in 1934, Albino Binda (brother of the more famous Alfredo) just to name a few. Curated by the Tre Valli Varesine Association with the collaboration of the Ghisallo Cycling Museum, the exhibit traces the exploits of these champions from the historical period between the early 1900s and World War II through period newspapers, clippings, historical images and reproductions. 
THE BINDA CYCLING FESTIVAL (website www.bindacyclingfestival.it ) – The festival aims to enhance the deep connection between the area and cycling by promoting a series of events that are heterogeneous among themselves but have the sport of two wheels as their meeting point. This Festival is organized by the Tre Valli Varesine APS Association, which has the Collaboration of the Alfredo Binda Cycling Society, the Ghisallo Cycling Museum and the Madonna del Ghisallo Sanctuary, and enjoys the support of the Lombardy Region through the Bando Unico Cultura 2024. The project enjoys the patronage of CONI, the Italian Cycling Federation, the Province of Varese, City of Varese, City of Busto Arsizio, Varese Chamber of Commerce and Confindustria Varese. The exhibition will be open until and including Nov. 1 during the Museum’s opening hours, Monday through Sunday 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m..GRAND FINALE WITH THE LOMBARDY – The museum season will have its epilogue as always with the passage of the Giro di Lombardia and some special initiatives, not yet announced, the magic date being Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. But it doesn’t all end here for the Ghisallo Cycling Museum Season 2024, because on Saturday, October 26, there will still be room to enhance the memory of a great champion like Luigi Ganna with the presentation of the book written by Stefania Bardelli. The title is “40,405” 9nd with this book the sports journalist traces the roads and memories of her family, but also of great Italian cycling, through the figure of the Varese man who first won the Giro d’Italia, in 1909. For the occasion, former pro champion Filippo Pozzato will also be a guest and will speak in the meeting with the author.
