The Grande Partenza of the hundredth Giro d’Italia is a tale of two islands, Sicily and Sardinia, that are almost identical in size but deeply different in many other respects. The former has produced the best Italian rider of the last ten years, Vincenzo Nibali, while the latter has given birth to only a handful of professional cyclists and only one of international standing, Fabio Aru.
Aru’s absence from the Giro through injury may have disappointed the home crowds but it didn’t ruin the party in Alghero, Olbia, Tortolì and Cagliari on the opening weekend of the Corsa Rosa. In our first Kilometre 0 of this year’s race, we explore the complexities of both islands’ relationship with cycling and indeed Italy - and learn a few things along the way. Kilometre 0 is supported by Allpress Espresso.