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Fusion world

Ride 4 Fusion arrives at ITER

23 Sep 2024 - Sabina Griffith

It was a photo finish last Thursday 19 September. After 900 km and 10,000 metres of climbing, the Ride 4 Fusion team that had started in Padua ten days earlier crossed the entrance to the ITER site.

900 kilometres, 9 stages, the Ride 4 Fusion adventure brought fusion energy researchers across Italy and France in a quest to raise awareness about fusion energy. On Thursday 19 September they passed the ITER gate.

Inspired by the University of Padua cycling community Scholares Vagantes, the team from the Consorzio RFX (home of the ITER Neutral Beam Test Facility) and the ITER Organization had cycled the distance in nine stages, travelling through northern Italy and southern France to promote the quest for fusion energy and engage with the public and young scientists along the way.

After they were waved off by city and University of Padua officials on 10 September, the 15 cyclists set off for stages that included stops in Piacenza (Campus Arata, PoliMI) and Pavia (Museum of Electrical Technology) where they engaged with university students, local companies and communities to celebrate 65 years of fusion science in Italy and exciting career opportunities.

In Marseille, France—one of their last stops before ITER—the Ride 4 Fusion cyclists were invited to share their experiences and perspectives with students and teachers of the Aix-Marseille University. On Thursday 19 September, joined by ITER staff including Director-General Pietro Barabaschi, the group arrived at the ITER Organization Headquarters finish line. They arrived physically exhausted, but deeply fulfilled by having accomplished the mission.

Researchers from the Italian laboratory Consorzio RFX, the Fusion Research Center of the University of Padua, the CNR Institute for Plasma Science and Technology in Milan, the ENEA Fusion Center in Frascati, and the ITER Organization took part in the 10-day adventure (not all are pictured here).

"Ride 4 Fusion beautifully builds connections, friendships, and enthusiasm for fusion research," said Yannick Marandet, CNRS, and director of the ISFIN Institute at Aix-Marseille University who joined the last leg of the journey. "Ride 4 Fusion isn't just a unique way to promote fusion; it's also a gateway to incredible opportunities. All throughout this event we showcased the exciting prospects in fusion at ITER and through the European Fusion Education Network, Fusenet.

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