The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Torch Relay continues in the second month of its adventure with a stage, number 39, which took place entirely in Lombardy. ​​The conclusion was in Pavia, where the relay experienced a grand finale with volleyball champion ​​Lorenzo Bernardi lighting the mobile brazier on the stage in piazza Petrarca. ​​The city was home to many excellent torchbearers, including athletes Kelly Doualla, Danielle Madam, Lucrezia Magistris and Alessandro Carvani Minetti.
The Flame reaches the Milan area for the first time
The day of Thursday 15 January began in Magenta, with a first relay that also saw a pleasant interruption for a performance by the local Bersaglieri section. ​​The convoy then headed to nearby Abbiategrasso. ​​This first foray of the Journey into the territory of the Metropolitan City of Milano was accompanied by great enthusiasm from citizens of all ages. ​​The Milanese then greeted the convoy, which will return to these parts in the final days of the torch relay.
Mortara, Vigevano, Garlasco: so much enthusiasm in the Pavese area
The Olympic flame then headed towards the Pavese area, visiting the historic town of Mortara and then Vigevano. ​​In the city located in the heart of Lomellina, the passage through the historic centre, dominated by Piazza Ducale, was particularly impressive. ​​The local involvement was so significant that even in Garlasco, a town that only hosted a refreshment break, the convoy was welcomed by the mayor and many citizens eager to see the lantern that holds the Olympic Flame up close.
The final part of the day then saw ​​San Martino Siccomario and Pavia as the protagonists, with a relay that lasted about two hours. ​​The Pavia area also welcomed the Flame in two particularly scenic locations: the Certosa di Pavia and Torre d’Isola. ​​In the morning, there was also a spectacular passage to the Sacro Monte di Varese, a UNESCO site, a few hours after the crowd in Varese.