Giro d'Italia 2020

Our Giro Classico bike trip starts in the popular cycling area of Forli-Cesena, on the foothills of the Apennines, a North-South mountain range spanning the length of the Italian peninsula. Marco Pantani developed his climbing skill on these roads, and Nove Colli founded the first Gran Fondo. Your guides will welcome you at Milan, Malpensa Airport at 10am. We will take a leisurely ride this afternoon and check our equipment, before our official welcome dinner.

We wake with excitement today as the Giro is raced almost entirely within the Forli-Cesena province. There are 5 categorised climbs within the race profile and accordingly rated a difficulty of 4 out of 5. We’ll ride from our hotel and intersect with the race early this afternoon and have a second opportunity to see the race again the final climb of the day. An exciting day, chasing a grand tour and riding on beautiful roads. Our non-riders will be able to follow the race in our supporters van.

We transfer across the Po plain of Italy today, leaving the Apennine Mountains behind. Our flat horizon begins to rise above the Veneto plains and the major feature is Monte Grappa – our challenge today. For Italian cyclists that call it “Fare il Grappa”, doing the Grappa. There are 10 possible routes to the summit, 11 if you include a gravel alternative. We will tackle the classic route, 26km averaging 6% and a maximum of 11%. We also have a shorter, easier ride option to a picturesque local village before heading on to our hotel. Our non-riders today, will be able to visit Asolo, a most beautiful village of Italy.

Today is one of the most significant stages of this 103rd Giro d’Italia, a race of truth through the Prosecco Superiore. Riders will not be savouring the bubbled delight for another week as their focus will be on flying over the course. We’ll ride this morning through the Prosecco vineyards and arrive to watch some of the riders prepare and roll from the starters ramp. We’ll then go to an advantage point on course cheering the riders through on their time machines. Time trials are incredible to watch and memories of today will last a lifetime.

We head into the Dolomites today. Every time we visit the Dolomites, we are just astounded by its beauty. The jagged rock formations have captivated artists and scientists over the last 200 years. It is little wonder that this area is recognised under the UNESCO World Heritage scheme. Before arriving at our hotel, we have 2 alternative rides planned today, neither has much flat. Our shorter option take the gradual climb to Valparola pass before descending to our hotel. Our main ride take the steeper slopes to Passo Giau first, rewarding challengers with one of the most impressive views in the Dolomites.

Ride this morning, after our first night sleeping at a little altitude. We are in the heart of the Dolomites and our ride today will be one of the most spectacular rides you’ll ever do – Sella Ronda. We circumnavigate the impressive geological formation of Piz Boè, high in the Italian Alps. The road leading up Passo Pordoi offers the greatest view. As we rise to the next climb, Passo Sella, the Sella Towers appear – okay they’re even more incredible. In total – four climbs, in just 52km. It is a manageable day on the bike, and any leg tiredness is quickly forgotten with the dramatic views. We can relax this afternoon, and even explore the local village. There are 3 languages in South Tyrol – Italian and German influences of course, but also a local traditional language of Ladin. You’ll often notice signs in the 3 languages.

This morning we travel to the Queen of the Dolomites, the Marmolada and the highest peak of the Dolomites and accessible by cable-car. The southern side is a 1,000m vertical wall and the observation deck offers 360 degree views. At the mid-station is a war museum and is worth visiting as it explores the harsh conditions of war in the Alps – a respectful exhibition and reminder for peace. With a few tough days on the bike, today is an optional tourist day. However, our ride option starts from the base station and climbs the steep pinches of Passo Fedaia, before descending to the start of Passo Pordoi, our main climb of the day. A challenging ride with nearly 2,000m of climbing in just 50km.

Giro d’Italia has now entered the final week, and many riders are already suffering. They will be hoping to just survive the tough final stages. Today’s stage has 4 categorised climbs including a summit finish. We can expect some attacks to launch on the steeper gradients of the second climb. We’ll head there and see the Giro on a mountain stage. We descend our way from the Dolomites this morning and jump on our bikes on one of Europe’s great cycling projects – the Val d’Adige cycle track. Entirely asphalted and separated from traffic it is a pleasant relief to be on some flat roads. We intersect the race course and climb as far as you want, it goes for 20km. After watching the race, return to our transport or ride on to our hotel.

We’ll set off early this morning, making our way to the finish area of today’s stage. One of our favourite climbs near Bormio and aptly the locals call it “piccolo Stelvio”. It may be the Giro’s equivalent to the Lacets Montvernier of the Tour de France. A final climb with many switchbacks in close succession will deliver a spectacular finish. The race goes over the Stelvio Pass today, where the Cima Coppi is claimed. It is the highest point reached by the Giro this year. We’ll keep our ride short and on the valleys around Bormio this afternoon, giving us time to watch the Queen stage of the Giro d’Italia 2020.

The first rider over the highest point of the Giro d’Italia route each year is awarded the Cima Coppi, celebrating the champion of champions, Fausto Coppi. It was claimed on Stelvio Pass yesterday. It was an incredible era for Italian cycling, as Coppi shared a great rivalry with Gina Bartali. Today, it is our turn on the highest pass in the Eastern Alps. Our ride from Bormio may be considered in 3 sections, the first is quite gentle and the winding road ahead keeps up motivated. At the top of some switchbacks the views are rewarding. Our second section is shorter but climbs along a valley plain, the road is often surrounded in patches of snow, yet to melt. We reach the Swiss border, at Umbrail pass, the road steepens into the thinner air and often we observe the work of the Stelvio road crew having uncovered the road creating a snow wall. It is truly an amazing time of the year to climb the Stelvio Pass. After reaching the summit, we descend and return to Bormio. If you still have a desire for more climbing, there are one or two more climbs we can challenge ourselves on this afternoon.

We set off from Bormio today and head down the valley. Enjoy the downhill, it may be the fastest 40km you’ll ever do, you’ll feel great. We arrive at Mazzo di Valtellina where the 2nd toughest cycling climb in Italy begins, the Mighty Mortirolo. Gradients between 15% and 20% are not unusual, especially on the earlier segments. Keep your resolve, and you’ll make it, some may even have to push and some may even just turn around with their weary legs catching up with them. The reward is worth it, reaching the Mortirolo monument. Imagine racing this climb, at the end of a long Giro d’Italia stage! After reaching the summit, we descend back to the base where our transport will meet us and take us to Lake Como this afternoon. This evening we’ll have our farewell dinner, leaving tomorrow evening free for you to explore Milan after the Giro d’Italia finish.

We have a final treat in store today and can enjoy a short ride along the shores of Lake Como and climb the infamous Madonna del Ghisallo, a regular inclusion in the last monument race each year, Giro di Lombardia. At the summit, is a small chapel which holds the shrine to cyclists. Only in Italy could anything like this be found! The Beata Vergine Maria Del Ghisallo was made the patron saint of Italian cyclists by Pope Pious XII in 1949 and her chapel is a shrine to cycling’s past and present greats. After completing our final ride, we prepare our bikes for travel and set off to Milan to see the final stage of Giro d’Italia 2020. A final time trial keeps doubt in the overall winner this year.

Today is our final day on our Giro d’Italia bike tour, and we have run out of important Giro stages to follow. We’ve banked many memories and established new friendships. Sadly, we say farewell. We have one transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport this morning, arriving by about 10am. If you’re booking flights home, allow 2 hours for a flight within Europe and 3 hours for an International flight. If you are staying on in Milan or Europe, we wish you a pleasant stay. We wish you all safe travels back home and see you again one day soon.