As every year, the start in Brescia was an event in itself. The traditional Viale Venezia was not only packed with locals and motorsport fans, but also tourists and curious passers-by who did not want to miss the spectacle of the 430 classic cars on wheels. It was a parade of automotive superlatives: from the Alfa Romeo 6C to the Bugatti T 40 and top Lancia models - each car told its own story.
The start of the race was particularly emotional for celebrity chef Carlo Cracco, who lined up together with Ezio Ronzoni in a 1927 Bugatti T 40: "Driving the 1000 Miglia in a Bugatti is pure emotion - like a journey through time." Reigning champion Andrea Vesco was also confident: "The day is beautiful, we are prepared - now we have to stay fresh and focused."
Historic route with Mediterranean flair
The first stage took the classic car caravan through the eastern outskirts of Brescia, via Villanuova sul Clisi, past the beautiful lakeside promenades of Lake Garda, through Manerba, Moniga and Padenghe. In Desenzano del Garda, not only the participants in the main class gathered on the Cesare Battisti lakeside promenade, but also the 123 Ferraris of the "Tribute 1000 Miglia" - a modern counterpart to the classic.
The route continued to the Scaliger castle in Sirmione, which provided the perfect backdrop for the time trials with its medieval flair.
Return to Verona and exciting stages along the Po
For many fans, the return to Piazza Bra in front of the imposing Arena of Verona, which was last part of the route in 2022, was particularly pleasing. In the Venetian plain near Bovolone, a combination of stamp and time control awaited, before a challenging series of ten stages along the Po near Stienta rounded off the day.
And who is at the top of the table after these first challenges? Once again the duo Andrea Vesco and Fabio Salvinelli in the 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS, a familiar sight for anyone who has followed the 1000 Miglia in recent years. Hot on their heels are Erejemovic-Llanos and Belometti-Ricca, who are also driving vehicles from 1929.
Romance in Ferrara, finish in San Lazzaro.
Shortly before the stage finish, riders and spectators were treated to a highlight: the convoy crossed the old town of Ferrara, rolled past the magnificent Corso Ercole I d'Este and gathered around the Castello Estense in the light of the evening sun. The time check took place in Piazza Trento e Trieste - a final pause before the final sprint.
At around 9:15 pm, the vehicles finally reached the stage finish in San Lazzaro di Savena near Bologna. The city welcomed the participants in Piazza Luciano Bracci with thunderous applause - a worthy end to a first day full of elegance, challenge and pure passion for historic motorsport.
The teams still have several hundred kilometers, numerous stages and impressive cities ahead of them. The "Freccia Rossa", as it is affectionately known, is not just a race, but also a rolling museum and a journey through the history of the automobile and the beauty of Italy.
And who knows? Perhaps Vesco and Salvinelli will once again write history. But until then, one thing remains certain: the Mille Miglia is and will remain a legend - and we are right in the middle of it.
Map: Ferrara
Experiences & sights
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