1000 Miglia 2024, the third leg gets underway

The third leg of the 42nd re-enactment of the Most Beautiful Race in the world started early this morning, under overcast skies, from the Cittadella del Carnevale, a multi-purpose cultural centre entirely dedicated to Viareggio’s famous carnival.   

Less than an hour after the start, the crews had already reached the Walls of Lucca, where the first Time Trials of the day were held. These Time Trials, together with those of yesterday in Viareggio, will award the Puccini Trophy, dedicated to the centenary of the death of the Maestro. Descending from the city walls, the cars first reached the centre for a Passage Control and then the province of Pisa, heading for Pontedera, the home of the Vespa.

After the trials in Lucca, the classification of the 1000 Miglia 2024 confirms Andrea Vesco and Fabio Salvinelli in the lead, followed by the crews Fontanella-Covella and Alviverti-Valente.

Leading the Ferrari Tribute classification are Frank Binder and Giordano Mozzi in a 296 GTS; behind them are Smussi-Smussi in a 1996 F355 GTS and Sangiovanni-Sangiovanni in an 812 GTS. Leading the 1000 Miglia Green are Mirco Magni and Alessandro Ferruta in a Polestar 2; finally, Ghilardelli-Ghilardelli with a 2017 Mercedes Amg Gtc lead the 1000 Miglia Experience classification.

Continuing in a southerly direction, the cars travelled along the spectacular Strada del Romito, with elevated stretches overlooking the sea alternating with small inlets, before reaching Castiglioncello. Having left the coastal hamlet, the heart of Rosignano Marittimo also embraced the Red Arrow with a Time Control in Piazza del Mercato.

After passing through the lands of Puccini, the convoy will enter the places dear to Giosuè Carducci: 10 Time Trials in the Bibbona area, before turning onto the famous Viale dei Cipressi, a straight stretch of almost five kilometres shaded on both sides by a row of dense, centuries-old cypresses. In Castagneto Carducci the crews will pass for a stamp at the foot of the statue of the poet, the first Italian to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

The Monteverdi Marittimo Average Trial and the Time Trial at Giuncarico are the last sporting efforts of a demanding morning, at the end of which the crews will stop for lunch in Castiglione della Pescaia.