Denmark is preparing to host the first two stages of the 95th Giro d’Italia cycling race, which will start from Horsens (Jutland) on 5 May 2012. In the meantime, the town is hosting an exhibitio, organised by the Museum of Industry in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute, on this great race. The exhibition will run until 8 May.
The show features multimedia displays and items illustrating the history of the Giro, with its victories and defeats, its myths, rivalries, struggles and dramatic episodes from the mountain stages of the race. Danish names too feature in the story, with cyclists such as Ole Ritter e Rolf Soerensen.
A number of Italian cycling museums have lent photos, films and material for panels on the technical evolution of racing bikes. The exhibition also includes a bike and a pink jersey once belonging to Coppi, a jersey and shoes belonging to Pantani and the oldest racing velocipede in the world, built in France in 1862.
Denmark is already eagerly awaiting the Giro d’Italia’s visit, as evidenced by the huge success of Malene Mortensen’s song “Beautiful Italy”: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNs03Vovt4w).
The keen media interest in the Danish stretches of the Giro will also be an excellent opportunity to spotlight Rome’s 2020 Olympic Bid.
