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Tuscan barrel race crowns 2024 winner
The 2024 edition of the Bravìo delle Botti last weekend saw competitors rolling wine barrels through the streets of Montepulciano.
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The Tuscan town of Montepulciano, which is at the epicentre of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano production, has a long history of holding races, with records of a horse race between its rival districts dating back to the late 14th century.
However, despite its historic roots, the event actually only became a barrel race in 1974 when parish priest Don Marcello del Balio suggested that the horses and riders be replaced by men rolling empty oak casks.
This year’s week of festivities, marking the 50th anniversary of the modern race, began on 17 August with the Proclamation of the Gonfaloniere announcing that the contest between Montepulciano’s eight districts had begun. The following days were marked with processions, complete with banners, flaming torches, and medieval costumes.
The culmination of the week comes in the form of the all-important race. Each barrel weighs 80 kilograms and is pushed uphill for 1.8 kilometres towards the Piazza Grande by two athletes.
On your marks…
This year’s barrel race, which set off from the Colonna del Marzocco, was won by Attilio Niola and his pushing partner Lorenzo Leonardi for the district of Voltaia, though Leonardi reportedly “crashed out”, leaving Niola to cross the finish line himself.
Niola also won last year’s race and, prior to that, also secured victory for Voltaia in the 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019, making him the joint most successful roller in the Bravìo delle Botti so far alongside greats of the sport like Giovanni Zorn, Enzo Moretti, and Stefano Rocchini. It should be noted that, unlike many of the participants in the race over the last five decades, Niola has not transferred to another district.
As victor, Voltaia retains the coveted prize – a banner depicting St. John the Baptist, whose feast day (marking his beheading) is today (29 August). Voltaia won its first Bravìo delle Botti in 1996.
Footage of last year’s race can be viewed below:
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