The countdown has started. Next Saturday, June 29th, the Tour de France begins in Italy. The first stage will be Florence-Rimini, followed by Cesenatico-Bologna on Sunday 30th and then Piacenza-Turin. There is high expectation, particularly in Cesenatico, Marco Pantani's hometown, where the second stage of the Tour will be dedicated to him. For the occasion, the city is painted yellow. Like its symbol, the skyscraper in Piazza Andrea Costa, which, at over 100 meters, has been the tallest tower on the entire Adriatic coast from Slovenia's border to Puglia for over sixty years. Yellow is also the color of the new bridge in Viale Roma that crosses the Vena Mazzarini, as well as the champion statue in the center of Piazza Marconi on the seafront. The historic center's cycle path that crosses the canal port has been painted yellow, and yellow will be used to characterize many sets and installations throughout the city. A giant image of Marco Pantani can be seen on the town hall's façade. In the city, there is a never-ending stream of events, meetings, and book presentations to honor one of the greatest Italian cyclists of all time, who died in mysterious circumstances in a hotel room in 2004.
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