The two groups of cyclists from the Aeronautica Sports Association departed from Verona-Villafranca and Palazzo Aeronautica for the first phase of their pilgrimage. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Force General Luca Goretti, was present at the departure from Rome.
The Aeronautical Sports Club, on the occasion of the Centenary of the Air Force, has organised the first “cycle pilgrimage” towards Sanctuary of the Holy House of Loreto to honour the Patron Saint of the’Blue Weapon.
Two groups of cyclists are taking part: the first set off from Verona-Villafranca on the morning of 25 May, with an initial intermediate stop in the city of Ferrara and the following day in Rimini. The second group departed from Palazzo Aeronautica on 26 May, making an overnight stop in the village of Borgo Cerreto, before arriving in Loreto on the afternoon of the 27th, where they met up with the cyclists from Verona.
The athletes from the Rome group were seen off by Sir, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Luca Goretti, to whom a commemorative plaque and the Polisportiva's banner were presented.
General Goretti, pleased with the initiative, wished all participants a fun walk in the spirit of healthy sportsmanship and friendship.
The Villafranca group was bid farewell upon departure by the Commander of the 3rd Wing, Colonel Paolo Tamburro, who contributed to the success of the event from the initial organisational stages.
The locations of the intermediate stages have also been chosen to convey a message of Solidarity to all the populations affected by natural events, both recent, such as the flood in the Romagna region, and past, such as the Umbrian earthquake of 2016.
The routes took place in areas immersed in a rustic natural environment, in some cases isolated and rugged, to rediscover those same spiritual and human values that inspired the pilgrimage. The group's camaraderie, willingness to help those in difficulty, tenacity, and determination to complete the route have strengthened and revitalised those values that distinguish our Armed Forces.
The moment the two groups reunited at the Loreto railway station was particularly significant and representative: a blue trail of cyclists in the same uniform, which drew the attention and even amazement of the people who saw them pass by.
Upon arrival at Piazza della Madonna, the group lined up at the foot of the Sanctuary steps to have the customary photograph taken and receive the commemorative medal for the event from the President.
The cycle-pilgrimage concluded on Sunday 28 May with the celebration of Holy Mass and the blessing of H.E.R. Archbishop Dal Cin, who received a commemorative plaque of the event and the Polisportiva's banner.
At the end of the pilgrimage, all participants, given the success of the initiative, expressed their desire to repeat the sporting undertaking and to meet again next year in the same place, setting their next meeting for May 2024.
