The Granfondo La Fausto Coppi Generali has proven to be an important economic factor for the Cuneo region established. This is confirmed by a comprehensive study by the Politecnico di Torino. The study "Ciclismo e Montagna: La Fausto Coppi fa vincere il territorio" (Cycling and Mountains: La Fausto Coppi makes the region win) is the first Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) study to be applied to a Granfondo cycling event. The results show that the international cycling event generated a total economic impact of 1,938,037 euros and that every euro invested generated a return of 10.8 euros. 2,546 cyclists from 42 nations and 69 Italian provinces were registered for the 36th edition of the Granfondo, 2,300 of whom actually took part. A total of around 8,000 people travelled to Cuneo over the race weekend, spending an average of 77.42 euros per day. An important step for the further development of the Granfondo La Fausto Coppi Generali is the announced television broadcast by SKY SPORT for the upcoming 2026 edition, which will take place on Sunday 28 June.
GF La Fausto Coppi: Visitor structure
The Granfondo La Fausto Coppi Generali proved to be an important economic driver for the region. During the weekend of the event, 3,895 overnight stays were registered, with the average length of stay varying according to origin: local cyclists stayed for one day, Italian participants for two days and international athletes for 3.3 days. There were clear preferences when it came to accommodation: 44.9 per cent of domestic participants chose hotels, while 44.4 per cent of international cyclists preferred bed & breakfast accommodation. Campsites were used by 11 per cent, mainly by foreign guests. Only a small proportion stayed with friends or relatives - 8.2 per cent of Italian and 3.7 per cent of international participants. These figures illustrate how sporting events are increasingly acting as a strategic economic factor for regions and positively influencing various areas of the local economy.
Environmental balance Granfondo La Fausto Coppi
The environmental impact of the event was low compared to similar events. 7.58 kilograms of CO₂ were emitted per participant, which corresponds to a total emission of 54.14 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents. For comparison: 10.8 kilograms of CO₂ were measured per participant at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games. The event in Cuneo was also able to reduce catering emissions by 20 per cent by using regional suppliers and biodegradable materials. The use of 100% renewable energy, provided by the sponsor eVISO, saved two tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
Participant loyalty
The social dimension is reflected in good key figures on participant loyalty. With a return rate of 53 per cent, more than every second participant comes back to the event - a strong indicator of the quality and emotional connection to the region, according to the authors of the study. The steadily rising number of registrations confirms the Granfondo's status as an attractive event in the cycling calendar. Particularly noteworthy: 16 per cent of participants in 2024 had already taken part in the three previous editions, which shows how firmly anchored the event is in the sporting lives of enthusiasts. The overall satisfaction of the participants was rated at 4.1 out of 5 points. These figures illustrate not only the sporting importance of the event, but also its social component, which brings together people from 42 nations and creates lasting links with the Cuneo region.
Info Granfondo La Fausto Coppi 2026
The Granfondo celebrates its 37th edition in 2026. On 28 June, thousands of cycling enthusiasts will once again gather in Cuneo in the Italian region of Piedmont. Named after the Italian professional cyclist Fausto Coppi, the event offers three different route options. The main route, the Granfondo, covers 172 kilometres and challenges participants with more than 4,300 metres of elevation gain. Alternatively, the Mediofondo is available with 111 kilometres and 2,500 metres of elevation gain. The Fauniera Classic was introduced as a third option, a non-competitive route covering 101 kilometres with 2,187 metres of altitude. All routes start and finish in Cuneo in Piazza Galimberti, the town's central square. The Registration for the 37th Granfondo La Fausto Coppi 2026 is already open. Interested cyclists can register via the official website or the ENDU platform. A valid medical certificate confirming athletic fitness is required for participation.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
