The article discusses Milan's paradoxical relationship with cycling and major cycling events, noting that while the city promotes cycling culture, it fails to support major races like the Milan-Sanremo.
The article highlights the irony of Milan, a city celebrated for its cycling infrastructure and sustainability initiatives, seemingly neglecting its cycling heritage by not hosting prestigious events like the Milan-Sanremo race from its historical center. The author argues that while other cities in Europe embrace cycling as both a cultural and sporting event, Milan appears disconnected from this tradition, letting significant races depart from locations away from the city's heart.
Moreover, the piece reflects on recent cycling events, such as the Milano-Torino, which also left Milan but started in Rho, indicating a trend where Milan is losing touch with major cycling competitions. The absence of significant cycling events, especially when comparing Milan to cities like Paris during the Tour de France, raises questions about the city's commitment to being a cycling capital, despite its advancements in bike-friendly infrastructure.
Ultimately, the author suggests that Milan prides itself on its cycling lifestyle, promoting a sense of environmental consciousness and urban mobility through bicycles, yet this affection does not translate into prowess in hosting grand cycling competitions. This disconnect may have implications for how Milan is perceived on the international cycling stage and could affect tourism and local engagement with the sport.
