What Is 2016 Settimana Coppi e Bartali

Overview

The 2016 Settimana Internazionale di Coppi e Bartali was a professional road cycling stage race held annually in the Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany regions of Italy. Named in honor of two of Italy’s greatest cyclists—Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali—the event serves as a key early-season competition for teams preparing for the spring classics and Grand Tours.

That year, the race featured a compact but challenging route with a mix of flat stages, hilly terrain, and a short individual time trial. It attracted several UCI WorldTour and ProContinental teams, offering valuable ranking points and preparation for upcoming major races.

• Five stages were contested from March 23 to March 26, making it one of the shorter editions in recent years due to logistical adjustments.
• The total race distance was approximately 770 kilometers, with stages designed to test sprinters, climbers, and time trialists.
• Diego Ulissi of Lampre-Merida emerged as the overall winner, leveraging strong performances in the mountainous Stage 4 and the time trial.
• Stage 1 started in Riccione and ended in San Marino, covering 172 kilometers with a finish suited to sprinters.
• The race included a double stage on March 25 (3a and 3b), featuring a morning time trial and an afternoon road stage, testing riders’ endurance and versatility.

How It Works

The race format combined traditional road stages with time trials and categorized climbs to determine multiple classifications, including general, points, mountains, and young rider standings.

• General Classification: Awarded to the rider with the lowest cumulative time across all stages; Diego Ulissi won with a final lead of 28 seconds.
• Points Classification: Based on stage finishes and intermediate sprints; Matteo Trentin claimed this jersey after strong sprint placements.
• Mountains Classification: Points awarded at summit finishes and categorized climbs; Simone Andreetta earned the blue jersey.
• Young Rider Classification: For riders under 25; Thibaut Courtois (not the footballer) of Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise won this category.
• Team Classification: Based on the combined times of the top three riders per team; Lampre-Merida secured this title due to Ulissi’s leadership.
• Combativity Award: Given daily to the most aggressive rider; Davide Formolo received it multiple times for breakaway efforts.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2016 edition compared to prior years in terms of duration, distance, and competitive depth.

The 2016 race was slightly shorter than 2015 but maintained a high level of competition. The reduction in stages reflected a trend toward more condensed racing schedules, making recovery and tactical decisions even more critical. Despite fewer kilometers, the inclusion of a time trial and a summit finish on Montevecchio kept the race demanding.

Why It Matters

The Settimana Coppi e Bartali plays a crucial role in the early European cycling calendar, offering teams a platform to fine-tune form and test rider fitness before bigger objectives like the Giro d’Italia.

• The race honors Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali, two icons whose rivalry defined Italian cycling in the mid-20th century.
• It provides UCI Europe Tour points, influencing team and rider rankings early in the season.
• Young talents use the race to gain experience against seasoned professionals in a competitive yet manageable setting.
• Teams like Lampre-Merida use it to evaluate squad performance and test race strategies under real conditions.
• The challenging terrain, including categorized climbs, helps identify riders suited for mountainous Grand Tours.
• Local economies benefit from tourism and media exposure, as the race passes through historic Italian towns and regions.

With its blend of history, competition, and strategic importance, the 2016 Settimana Coppi e Bartali remained a significant fixture in professional cycling, bridging tradition and modern racing demands.