Cycling Monuments, Memorials, Plaques, etc., Part X I

Jac Zwart, author of the Dutch language book "Wielermonumenten - Reisgids door de geschiedenis van de wielersport" (Cycling Monuments - Travel Guide through the History of the Sport of Cycling), contributes his eighth article, this time about a visit to Tualis.

"Last month I made a trip through Northern Italy and had the opportunity to visit a number of cycling monuments which I knew existed but didn't have pictures of. One of those is located in Tualis, a 'frazione' that is part of the municipality of Comeglians, in the province of Udine. Tualis is about 4 kilometers along the ascent of the Monte Crostis.

As many of you will know, the Monte Crostis would be climbed in the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia this year, but was eliminated from the stage because the riders complained about the dangerous descent and the fact that the team cars would not be able to follow and support the riders during that part of the race. Indeed, the road appeared to be very steep and narrow. And I just climbed the first four kilometers. I didn't do the descent but I can really understand the fear of the riders.

Sadly, the enthusiastic inhabitants of Tualis had planned a number of festivities to welcome the Giro: they renamed the central piazza to Piazza Giro d'Italia and they erected a statue in the form of a racing bike. Understandably, the inhabitants were not amused that the Giro decided to take an alternate route to the finish on the Monte Zoncolan, just days before this stage would take place. Still, they have kept this tribute to the Giro in place. It is worth a visit to this challenging environment for many cyclists."

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