The mayors of Aritzo, Desulo and Seulo: “Sports tourism is a real asset for our areas.” This is also an important opportunity for accommodation providers
Aritzo (NU), 29 June 2024 – Working together to raise Sardinia’s profile in the world of international mountain biking. The municipalities involved in the stages of the Sardinia MTB Rally have already got the ball rolling, with entire communities working hard to ensure a warm welcome and excellent hospitality for the athletes, their teams and fans. The long race will set off from the natural landscape of the Barbagia region around Aritzo and Belvì, winding its way along the roads of the ancient mountains in the beating heart of Sardinia: on Wednesday 28 August, participants in the Sardinia MTB Rally will tackle the time trial route leading them to Texile – a prologue to this imposing natural monument – before passing through Belvì and returning to Aritzo.
The race will become more intense with each passing day. On Sunday 29 August, the focus will be on the Mandrolisai region, with the athletes tackling the route between Desulo and Tonara, before returning to Desulo. The second stage will be the most gruelling, starting and finishing in Seulo, passing through the ancient woodlands of other important towns: Sadali and, in the lower Ogliastra, Seui. Finally, the athletes will return to the Barbagia region of Belvì for the final stage – a sprint finish starting and finishing in Aritzo, crossing the unspoilt mountains of Gadoni.
For the entire region involved, this is an opportunity to be exploited to the full – a real showcase – strongly supported by the Regional Department for Tourism, Crafts and Trade with a view to creating a significant new tourism opportunity in inland areas, particularly in Barbagia; indeed, the event will bring international visibility to all the municipalities involved.
The headquarters will be in Aritzo, a village with close ties to the tradition of nougat, ‘de sa carapigna’, and the production of dried fruit, renowned for its extraordinary murals, which recount the village’s history and traditions. Aritzo aims to look to the future and revitalise tourism, which has always been a major economic driver.
Desulo and Seulo are the other two towns hosting the individual stages of the Sardinia MTB Rally: these are towns with extensive expertise in nature-based and experiential tourism. This international event opens up a significant new avenue towards fresh horizons and opportunities, and the local communities are already looking forward to the event. In all three towns, preparations are underway to ensure that everything runs smoothly from 28 to 31 August, and these international sporting events are being watched with great interest.
“Promoting tourism and Sardinia’s regions through sport is one of the initiatives that the Region of Sardinia has been pursuing for several years,” commented Franco Cuccureddu, Regional Councillor for Tourism, Crafts and Trade. “The arrival of world-renowned champions and mountain biking enthusiasts in the heart of Sardinia is a source of pride for us, not least because the images of enchanting places such as the mountains and woodlands of Aritzo, Desulo, Seulo, Gadoni, Tonara and Seui will be seen around the world. This will, on the one hand, help to raise the profile of these places within the international tourism sector and, on the other, demonstrate that Sardinia can offer other high-quality tourist attractions besides its coastline.”
“Our aim,” explains the mayor of Aritzo, Paolo Fontana, “is, amongst other things, to draw attention back to our local areas. We have enthusiastically welcomed the 2024 edition of the Sardinia Rally and would like to thank the organisers and the Department of Tourism, Crafts and Trade of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, which, on this occasion, will take us beyond our national borders. “The whole town will play its part,” he concludes. “Our local associations are a valuable and fundamental pillar – always collaborative, active and attentive. We hope to host more major events of this calibre in the future; for us, they are a lifeblood.”
“Ours is also a commitment that involves the whole town,” explains the mayor of Desulo, Gian Cristian Melis, “starting with our local council, with the particular involvement of the deputy mayor, Sebastiano Maccioni, and extending to the local tourist association chaired by Dr Alessandra Peddio and the La Solidarietà Association chaired by Nannino Fadda. In the past, we have hosted regional cycling events; now we are taking on this international challenge – an opportunity for us during the ‘off-season’ that will allow us to promote our tangible and intangible heritage. Desulo is rich in traditions and culture, and hosting the Sardinia Mountain Bike Rally is a powerful tool for promoting tourism. By promoting Desulo, we are promoting the whole of the Gennargentu area and the other villages around us. Working together is the key to achieving ambitious goals. We are also aiming for ‘multi-seasonalism’; indeed, our town opens its doors to visitors who come here for cultural, religious, sporting, food and wine, and environmental reasons,” concludes the mayor of Desulo, “and we want to aim ever higher in the years to come with events of international significance.”
Known as one of the ‘Blue Zone’ certified towns due to the high life expectancy of its inhabitants, the lush, verdant town of Seulo is ready to open its doors to the world’s leading cyclists. “Seulo is basing its development on the principles of sustainability, following the guidance of our elders, and fostering a culture that is also greatly appreciated by the many visitors who pass through our area,” commented Mayor Enrico Murgia. “In this regard, we often recommend cycling to our visitors – preferably on mountain bikes – to enjoy our landscapes and gain a better understanding of the area they’re travelling through, and they’re enthusiastic about it. In this sense, the Sardinia Rally represents a great opportunity to showcase the most beautiful routes. It will be an important showcase that we want to repeat in future years, capable of generating and boosting mindful and sustainable tourism”.
The Sardinia MTB Rally is sponsored by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia – Department of Tourism, Crafts and Trade. The Sardinia MTB Rally is organised by Wild Track, under the auspices of the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI), and with the support and patronage of the municipalities of Aritzo, Desulo and Seulo.
‘This level is a lifeline for us.’