Giro-E Enel 2026 – Stage 2 Villa d’Agri di Marsicovetere

Giro-E Enel 2026 – Stage 2 Villa d’Agri di Marsicovetere – Potenza

Arm warmers, leg warmers and a grey sky. Of course, every day on a bike is different and you don’t always get sunny days. That theory became reality today, unfortunately, in the second stage of the Giro-E Enel 2026, which included a relatively demanding section for our happy e-cyclists.

The second stage began in Villa d’Agri di Marsicovetere, formerly known as Pedali (which ironically means “pedals” in Italian), a small town founded in 1955 that has just turned 71. It is the largest hamlet in the Marsicovetere municipality, in the province of Potenza, as well as the beating heart of the Agri Valley. It has recently won the Public Award 2026, an international acknowledgement that is part of the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award. This success is proof that a small municipality can become a symbol of civilisation and human warmth at a global level. It boasts a wonderful historical centre and is naturally suited for tourism. It is also ideal for cycling, as the Agri Valley is a real paradise for bikes thanks to its panoramic roads and ancient hamlets. It is the perfect place to set off and discover the Appennino Lucano – Val d’Agri – Lagonegrese National Park and enjoy many fairs and festivals in such a welcoming place. Basilicata has long been a bike-friendly region and the Ciclovia Meridiana – with its 295-kilometre circular route in the heart of the Appennino Lucano Park and hub in the regional capital Potenza, covering 22 hamlets – really is a cycling gem. Today the cyclists of the Giro-E got a nice taste of it.

The Villa d’Agri di Marsicovetere-Potenza stage

Here are some facts and figures: 62 kilometres with 1,300 metres of elevation gain. Once out of the starting square, the Giro-E covered a 15.9-kilometre section before joining the route of the fifth stage of the Giro d’Italia, where it completed the rest of its stage. The first section was entirely uphill, culminating with the day’s King of the Mountains award, namely the climb up to Monte Grande of Viggiano, at 1,405 metres of altitude, with an impressive 9.1% average for over six kilometres of steep climbing, with peaks of 15 percent. Fortunately, the Giro-E has Saint Motor as its protector. After that, the cyclists rode along a rolling road in the Pierfaone ski area, followed by a long, complex downhill section that took them all the way to Potenza. In short, authentic cycling and, luckily, despite the dark sky, it didn’t rain.

Personality of the Day – Federico Scavo

He’s been a Giro-E Enel Personality of the Day before, but Federico Scavo – a producer, internationally renowned DJ and huge cycling enthusiast – deserves it again. Because having taken part in 2025 as a guest, this year he is returning as captain of Team RCS Sport. “I got hooked on this drug, if we can call it that, at the age of 48,” explains Scavo, who hails from Fucecchio in Tuscany, the same birthplace as the great Indro Montanelli. “I’m 52 now and last year I rode 18,000 kilometres – like a real cyclist. I’m part of a group who train every day. We set off at 12:10 exactly from Santa Croce sull’Arno and do at least 40-50 kilometres. At the weekend, when I’m not working at a club or on tour, I go for long rides of 130-140 kilometres. I alternate between an e-bike and a traditional bike. When I go out with pros, like Alberto Bettiol, who I’m good friends with, I take the electric bike because I can’t keep up with him on the hills. This will be my third Giro-E. I did a couple of stages the first year, five in 2025, and this year seven as captain of Team RCS Sport. Sadly I can’t do more because I’ll be on tour in America, in Tampa and Miami. I was really happy to play at the Green Fun Village inauguration because sustainability is so important. We live on this planet and we must respect it. I don’t think we’re doing enough yet. We need to understand that even a small gesture – if everyone does it – can make a big difference.”