From Liguria to Piedmont. The wonders of the Giro-E Enel 2026. Stage 9 begins in Savona and ends in Novi Ligure, Alessandria, the land of two cycling greats: Costante Girardengo and Fausto Coppi, the latter of whom was born in Castellania, just a few kilometres down the road. There was no shortage of pedalling to do – albeit with motor assistance – on today’s stage, which covered 90 kilometres of hills and 1,250 metres in total elevation gain. But what a joy it is to clip into your pedals, leave the ocean behind and venture inland towards Coppi’s homeland, tackling the road head-on!
Savona – a city known for its popes (Sixtus IV, Julius II) and, more recently, singer-songwriter Annalisa Scarrone – dates back to the bronze age. Protected by the 16th-century Priamar Fortress, it bears all the allure of a seaside city, and is touristy without being overly so. There is an interesting Ceramics Museum, hosting over six centuries’ worth of Ligurian ceramics, and if you fancy a bite to eat, you should try panissa (chickpea fritters), which you can wash down with some local Pigato (white) or Rossese (red) wine.
Novi Ligure, as we mentioned, is the birthplace of two veritable cycling legends and here there is a museum dedicated to them (Museo dei Campionissimi). Besides celebrating Girardengo and Coppi themselves, it also traces the evolution of the bicycle and contains some rare examples. After visiting this temple of cycling, it would only be right to take some time to explore a beautiful town which is both sporty and gourmand. Novi Liguri has a long-established chocolate tradition and you can find no end of places offering delicious, sweet “fuel” for your next trip.
