THE STORY OF A GREAT PASSION
The touristic-cycle group "Fausto Coppi" was born in 1965, even if the first affiliation date goes back to 1966, in the historical place for this group of friends: "Bar del Corso", in front of the famous Leonardo's port, in Cesenatico.

THE FOUNDERS

A group of cycling lovers (Freschi Gaetano, Pedulli Tarcisio, Casali Gianfranco, Ciani Guerrino, Giovanni Berlati, Razzani Domenico, Pagani Vito and Stignani Giampietro) decided to create an organised group of cyclist. The Coni centre (since 1980) for the introduction to the sport created in 1971the Nove Colli contest and launched into the sport the champion Marco Pantani. The name of this group had to be a symbol of dignity and faithfulness; for this reason the founders decide to call their centre after Fausto Coppi, died in 1960, a champion remembered for his competitive spirit and in particular for his fairness.

THE IDEA

July the 12th 1970: the group decided to participate to the 200 km cycling race in Switzerland. Three members of the board of directors (Freschi, Casali and Brandolini) left for Brunnen, to achieve the Alpine license. They came back from Switzerland and decided to create the Apennine license in Cesenatico, in order to emulate and to excel the Alpine one. Brandolini chose the route and Casali organised the race. The 20th of May 1971, the first edition started, at that time called "1° Audax cicloturistico di Gran Fondo Sociale: Brevetto Appenninico di Km 200" Seventeen riders started at 5 o'clock in the morning from their usual meeting point: "Bar del Corso" This was the first step: today Nove Colli attracts thousands of people every year.

CENTER FOR INTRODUCTION TO THE SPORT
"C.G. Fausto Coppi" is not only the long distance cycle racing, but also, since 1980, the centre for introduction to the sport. It launched the famous rider Marco Pantani, who has the same characteristics of Fausto Coppi, the name written in his blue T-shirt during his first races. He counts among his success, the Italian race "Giro d'Italia" and the French one "Tour de France". "G.C. Fausto Coppi" and "Nove Colli" want to make progress and preserve their good results. Thanks to the incentive of Arrigo Vanzolini, president of "G.C. Fausto Coppi" since 1972, the centre will be styling the image of the event that belongs not only to Fausto Coppi but also to Cesenatico and to the cycling too.