The second day of the 1000 Miglia 2026 linked the Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany regions in a continuous succession of plains, hills and mountain passes. The convoy set off at dawn from Prato della Valle in Padua under an initially overcast sky, which provided some cool relief for the crews before giving way to bright sunshine as they climbed the Colli Euganei.
With the return of the sun, the more than 400 cars of the Red Arrow passed through Montegrotto Terme, Valbona Castle and the centre of Este, greeted by the extraordinary warmth of the crowds who had filled the squares, villages and country roads. The passages through Ferrara and Bondeno served as a prelude to the throng of people in the centre of Modena: in Piazza Roma, the crowd welcomed the convoy in front of the Palazzo Ducale, home to the Military Academy, which opened its doors to the crews for a race lunch.
“It’s truly thrilling. Today is the second day and the legs are very long; above all, the intense heat is taking its toll and it’s tiring,” says motorcycling champion Loris Capirossi, competing in a 1949 Lancia Aprilia. “These cars are demanding to drive, but the places we’re passing through are beautiful. It’s a fantastic experience: you see loads of incredible cars and, as a huge motoring enthusiast, I believe this is absolutely the best place to admire these unique classics.”
In the afternoon, the cars headed towards the Apennines. Leaving the plains behind via Reggio Emilia, Formigine and Castelvetro, they tackled the hairpin bends of the SS12 main road. Having passed the charming village of Fiumalbo, the convoy reached the Time Control at the Passo dell’Abetone, at an altitude of 1,388 metres. Here, the crews were captivated by the bends, made all the more enjoyable by the crisp breeze.
After crossing the Apennines, the convoy will plunge into the Tuscan descent, tackling a new series of Average Trials and Time Trials. The final stage of this 430-kilometre leg will take place in Montecatini Terme, amidst the Art Nouveau splendour of the Terme Tettuccio.
From a sporting perspective, the battle at the top is becoming increasingly thrilling. At TT042, the crew of Andrea Vesco and Fabio Salvinelli are in first place, but Juan and Margarita Tonconogy are hot on their heels, just a handful of points behind. Lorenzo and Mario Turelli remain in third place. Leading the Ferrari Tribute are Vittorino Battaglia and Giordano Mozzi, whilst in the Gran Turismo Experience, the leaders are Shimitzu Ryotaro and Jari-matti Johannes Latvala.