2023 Giro with Pat Jonker
Italy Cycling Holiday
Bookings Now Open
Following the Final Weeks of 106th Giro d'Italia
Giro d'Italia 17th to 28th May 2023
Bookended by Stresa and Como we climb the most famous Italian alps.
Plus, we sneak into Switzerland for the spectacular Furka pass.
Stay at 3 and 4 star accommodation and delight in the Italian cuisine – daily gelato and coffee stops a must!
Open for Bookings
AT A GLANCE- 11 Days - 11 Nights
- Experienced
- 7 Dinners, Buffet Breakfast Daily
- Hotel Style
★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ - Support Vehicle
- Mechanical Assistance
- Navigational Guidance
- 4 Stages Live
- Stelvio, Dolomites and More
Tour Departs
Milan, Italy, May 17, 2023
Tour Finishes
Como, Italy, May 28, 2023
Tour Style
Group Size: 14 Guests – 3 Staff
Rides: Sealed roads, some bikeways
Challenge Rating: Mostly climbing
Accommodation: 3 to 4 star hotels, twin share, optional single supplement when booking
Trip Suitability
Experienced Riders: Your cycling holiday is actually about the bike! Our epic and challenge ride options seek more vertical metres and longer miles.
Meals Included
All buffet breakfast, 7 x 3-course dinners, drinks included at welcome and farewell dinners
Tour Inclusions
- Professional and experienced cycling guides
- Travel in air-conditioned vehicles
- Transfers from designated collection and drop-off locations
- All meals (as listed on itineraries)
- Mechanical assistance with your bike
- Ride nutrition (including drinking water, sport powders and bars / muffins and fruit)
- Tour ride jersey and bib-shorts
- Ride files and detailed tour itinerary
Why we Love this Tour
- Escorted by Pat Jonker
- Ride the famous Italian climbs (Stelvio, Sella Ronda, Ghisallo, Giau, Gavia, Mortirolo)
- Mechanical and vehicle support for peace of mind
- Custom Private Trip
- There are many epic challenges on this itinerary. Most days focus on a famous climb, with extensions available to challenge seasoned riders.
- Riders will have vehicle support to skip the epic extensions and concentrate on the famous climbs for that day.
- Watch 2 stages of the 2023 Giro d’Italia live.
Pricing
PRICING: Pricing for private groups is based on agreed minimum numbers of participants being met at the time of receipt of payment of final invoices by all trip participants. Prices may increase if minimum numbers are not met at the time of final invoicing (90 days prior to trip departure date). Final pricing will be based on the number of participants at the time of invoicing.
DEPOSIT: AUD$1500 per person.
A reservation is not considered to be finalised until a deposit for the trip is received.
PRICING: TWIN SHARE PER PERSON (Includes 2 nights pre-trip accomodation 15th and 16th May)
- 13 people: $8584 per person twin share
- 12 people: $8734 per person twin share
- 11 people: $9084 per person twin share
- 10 people: $9584 per person twin share
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT FOR SOLE USE OF ROOM (SINGLE) PER PERSON
Cost: AUD$1350 (require even numbers for single supplement)
FINAL PAYMENT: Due 16th Feb 2023
CANCELLATION POLICY:
If for some reason you have to cancel your place on the trip, the following deductions will apply.
- From payment of deposit to 120 days prior to trip departure date: Loss of 50% of deposit
- Between 90 and 120 days prior to trip departure date: 100% loss of deposit. This may be reduced to 50% of deposit if a replacement person is found to take your place on a trip.
- Less than 90 days prior to trip departure date and after final payment: 100% loss of trip payment. This trip payment may be applied, at the discretion of Bikestyle Tours, to avoid a price increase being levied on other passengers of a private trip due to a reduction in group size.
Note: It is a requirement of Bikestyle Tours that you have Travel Insurance for your trip.
Bike Hire Pricing
Standard Bike Hire Price: AUD$660
Details of Bike Hire Fleet – Premium Bike Hire available
This Trip will be Escorted by Former Pro-Cyclist, Pat Jonker
Although born in The Netherlands, Patrick is an Aussie. He often raced with a Dutch licence during his career and has won 12 major European races.
Patrick turned professional at the end of 1993 and he raced with:
- 1993 WordPerfect
- 1994 Novemail
- 1995 and 1996 Once
- 1997 to 1999 Rabobank,
- 2000 with US Postal,(when injury ruled him out of the Tour)
- 2001 and 2002 with Big Mat
He finished 12th overall at the 1996 Tour de France, Miguel Indurain was 13th and that was the year Bjarne Riis toppled the Big Mig. A young up and coming Ullrich was second. Pat is also a former Dutch and Australian time trial champion.
Most South Australian’s know of Patrick’s greatest win in his final race as a professional, the Tour Down Under. It was a fairy tale win for him in front of his hometown crowd and one that we will remember for years to come.
See an Italian Bike Race and immerse in the Italian culture
Italian fanatics are known as “tifosi”, and the atmosphere that “tifosi” create at the Giro d’Italia race is incredible to experience, your hair stands on end. As the peloton arrives, the Italian fans issue an almighty cheer, screaming “Via–Via–Via” go–go–go.
There is no bigger cheer than that reserved for Marco Pantani, he was possibly the greatest climber to have ever raced. The Marco “Il Pirata” Pantani supporters club still follows the race searching for an Italian rider that carries the spirit of “Il Pirata”. Today, the young super stars draw all the attention of the “tifosi”.
Experiencing the Giro d’Italia is so much fun, so Italian!
2023 Giro d'Italia Cycling Holiday
Join Pat Jonker, a former professional cyclist, in the Italian Alps for the 2023 Giro d’Italia. Your private cycling holiday is carefully planned to ride Pat’s favourite climbs in Italy. Pat will share with you his first-hand experience of racing in the professional peloton in the most demanding races. The Giro d’Italia is one of the toughest races a professional cyclist can complete.
Our trip starts in Milan, with a few nights in Stresa, on one of Italy’s big lakes, Lago Maggiore. We can adjust our clocks, and ease our bodies into what is ahead of us for two-weeks of incredible cycling. Pat will be supported by the professional team at Bikestyle Tours, who with more than 20 years of experience will support you through the Italian Alps, will help you conquer your own cycling goals and watch the biggest Italian cycling race.
The famous climbs that you will have the opportunity to ride include
- Passo dello Stelvio, the highest paved pass in the Eastern Alps
- Ghisallo, a sacred site for cyclists past and present
- Sella Ronda, arguably the most stunning cycling loop in the world
- Furka pass, a mind-blowing climb just across the border in Switzerland
- Mortirolo, possibly the hardest climb in Italy – challenged by only the Zoncalan
- Infamous climbs of Gavia, Passo Giau and Tre Cime
Ride the roads of legendary stories made by actors such as Eddy Merckx, Alfredo Binda, Fausto Coppi, and Marco Pantani.
2023 Giro with Pat Jonker – Daily Itinerary
Benvenuto, Welcome to Italy
Meet your staff this morning at your hotel in Stresa on the shores of Lake Maggiore. After breakfast, the staff will help prepare the bikes (personal and hire bikes) before our first ride.
Maggiore is the deepest of the 4 large lakes in Italy and is the most western of the lakes. Each lake is juxtaposed against the Eastern Alps that plummet into the lake. There are wonderful villages nestled along the shoreline and hillsides that overlook the lake. Each lake attracts many leisure crafts that utilise the expansive waters. Furthermore, lakes are also a great source of beautiful fresh fish.
Some of which we may be able to enjoy at our welcome dinner.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Shakedown ride
- Welcome dinner with drinks
Today’s ride is a shakedown ride, allowing you to adjust your clocks, test your bikes and importantly yourselves. We have a bit of climbing and a stunning ride route to a smaller lake close to Maggiore.
- Distance: 60km
- Verticle: 1000m
Lake Maggiore
We have a few days before we link up with the Giro d’Italia as it makes its way to the Northern mountains of Italy. Today we will ride one of the famous stages of the Giro in recent years. Philippe Gilbert attacked the peloton over the top of a forested climb and pushed the descent into Verbania, a village to our north.
After our ride this morning you have the afternoon free to catch up with today’s stage on television, explore Stresa, and possibly take a boat to one of the small islands for dinner. We have left this evening free for you to experience some authentic Italian culture. The Northern Italians are very hospitable people, and have a genuine love and often a connection to Australians.
Tonight, you will be able to explore some of the local delicacies at the local restaurants in the area.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Lake Maggiore
- Ride a stage of the Giro d’Italia
- Italian culture
Our ride this morning follows the western edge of the lake, before heading up a narrow climb to gain panoramic views of the lake. We have no time pressures, and we can enjoy the scenery of the lake from various perspectives. The climb is also a good warm-up for the more challenging climbs that will greet us later in our Italy trip with Pat Jonker. For something shorter, well easier at least, you can return the same way that we headed out and stick to the flat roads.
- Distance: 90km
- Verticle: 1700m
Crans Montana and the Giro
Today we transfer into Switzerland. It may not look far on a map, but we have a mountain to cross to reach our next accommodation. We will transfer to near the start of the final climb on Stage 13 of 2023 Giro d’Italia today. The Grand Tours often cross into neighbouring countries to help broaden their audience and attract more funds as neighbours showcase their region for future tourism. Brig is situated in a valley that reaches Zermatt and the famous pyramid-shaped peak of the Matterhorn. In the opposite direction is the climb to Furka pass. Today we will take the opportunity to see the Giro live in Switzerland.
After seeing the race, we will return to our hotel and have dinner together celebrating our first stage of the Grand Tour, and preparing ourselves for our own cycling adventure tomorrow to Furka pass.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Ride part of Stage 13 Giro d’Italia
- Transfer to Switzerland
- Dinner in the Swiss Alps
Our ride will follow the final climb of today’s stage to Crans Montana. We will watch the riders race the climb from a good vantage point before travelling to our hotel.
- Distance: 74km
- Verticle: 1300m
Furka pass
With the weather gods in our support, we will hopefully have a stunning day on Furka pass. We could write all about the pass. However, words cannot compare to the scenery of the Furka. It is the highest pass on the Grand Tour of Switzerland at an elevation of 2,429m
Tonight, you will be able to explore some of the local delicacies at the local restaurants in the area.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Ride Furka Pass
- Highest pass of Grand Tour of Switzerland
We will ride from our hotel this morning and make our way up the valley, to reach the summit of Furka after 55km! For those wanting it a bit shorter, we will drive you further up the valley, where you can start your ride. What goes up, must come down. But, take many, many photos today, it doesn’t get more picturesque than this… Well, it might. But this is spectacular.
- Distance: 115km
- Verticle: 2250m
Italian Alps
Today is a long transfer day. We will head back into Italy and past Lake Como, where will finish our trip in another week. But we will head further up the valley to Bormio, a popular outdoor activity location in Winter and Summer. We will arrive at the beginning of their summer season, and some hotels and restaurants will still be closed, they normally open the first weekend of June. None-the-less, we base ourselves at Bormio for two nights, so that we can ride some spectacular roads, including Passo dello Stelvio, Passo Gavia and the mighty Mortirolo.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Heart of the Italian Alps
No scheduled ride today due to our long transfer. However, if we arrive in good time, we might stretch our legs a little on a short ride close to Bormio.
Passo dello Stelvio
Today we conquer the highest paved pass in the Eastern Alps, the Passo dello Stelvio. Some of the most fierce cycling battles have unfoiled on the Stelvio. If not in a battle with other competitors, the battle in oneself is common to reach heights near 3,000m above sea level on a bike.
Once we finish today’s ride, we can return to Bormio and catch up with one of the stages of the Giro that will enthuse contenders. It will establish the strategies for the final week of racing in the Grand Tour of Italy.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Passo dello Stelvio
- Umbrail Pass
- Bormio
The ride from Bormio to the top of the Stelvio pass is gentle, at first. Consider the climb in 3-sections and keep something in the tank, and you will reach the summit. The first section has a couple of tunnels, before opening out into the valley. There are a number of switchbacks to negotiate before a wide plateau brings the top of the pass into view. Gradually, the building on the summit comes closer and after coming perilously close to the Swiss border the road steepens, the air thins and we push on to reach the summit. Well done!
For an epic ride extension today, we can follow the route of the Stelvio stage in 2017. A stage won by Vincenzo Nibali. We can cross briefly into Switzerland descending from the Umbrail pass, and climb Stelvio from the Prato side.
- Distance: 100km
- Verticle: 3200m
Passo Gavia
Today is an easier day on the bike, as we have plenty more riding ahead of us, and the long climbs of our first week will be catching up on us. However, if you’d like something a little harder today you can ride faster! Or you may like to tackle a second climb after our feature ride.
This afternoon we return to Bormio to explore this great village. Tonight you are free to experience one of the local restaurants.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Passo Gavia
We will climb Gavia today, it is the little sister of the Stelvio. Gavia too has broken riders and split apart the Giro d’Italia in previous editions. None more infamous than the events of 1988. To say that the blizzard conditions tested riders would be an understatement. But the history of the Gavia and successfully summiting the climb grows your respect further for professional racers.
- Distance: 50km
- Verticle: 1450m
Mortirolo
We have another transfer today, as we reach a different part of the Alps. We head to the spectacular Dolomites. Unlike our previous transfer, we will break this transfer up with a ride, but not just any ride. We ride over the Mortirolo before making our transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage area.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Mortirolo
- Transfer to Dolomites
- UNESCO World Heritage sites
You can start the ride from closer to the base of the Mortirolo, but you would be missing out on the long descent to Mazzo di Valtellina, which is where the climb starts. The Mortirolo is difficult to describe, other than it is a tough climb. Roads are narrow and steep, very steep. Gradients are constantly changing and momentum in the bike is impossible to find. You are well against gravity on this one! But conquering the Mortirolo is exhilarating. We will descend off the other side, and make our way to the beautiful village of Ponte di Legno where we will meet our transport.
- Distance: 70km
- Verticle: 1900m
Sella Ronda Loop
It would be difficult to find a more incredible, memorable, or scenic loop than the Sella Ronda. There are 4 categorised climbs, in just 52km. Popular with cyclists, motor enthusiasts and skiers is this loop around the rugged rock formations, including the Sella Towers.
The 4 climbs that make up the Sella Ronda are the Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, and the Campolongo climb. We will ride them in this order.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Sella Ronda
- Fausto Coppi Monument
- Pordoi Pass, Sella Pass
- Sella Towers
- Valparola Pass
Setting out from our hotel, we climb Pordoi pass where on its summit is the Fausto Coppi stone – a monument to one of the most famous Italian riders, and Giro d’Italia riders. We descend from Pordoi and make a right turn to climb Sella pass. This would be one of the most spectacular backdrops for riding with the impressive Sella Towers looming high above the twisting road.
Finally, we climb the easier climbs of the loop, the Gardena pass and Campolongo pass and return to our hotel.
Our epic extension today replaces the final climb with a solid climb on its own, and part of tomorrow’s queen stage, the Valparola pass.
- Distance: 80km
- Verticle: 2400m
Queen Stage
We will return to watching the Giro d’Italia live today. It is known as the Queen stage of the Grand Tour, as it is the biggest stage for riders. A general classification leader does well today, and they can make it nearly impossible for their competitors. But with a time trial still to come, the stakes are much higher. Tre Cime needs little introduction, but do a web search “Eddy Merckx Tre Cime”, and you will find some of the most impressive stages to have ever been raced in the Giro’s 106th-year history.
We will return from the race today, and enjoy a farewell dinner together, as we make our way to Como tomorrow and some of us will meet up with our partners.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Passo Giau
- Tre Cime
- Queen Stage of Giro d’Italia
- Final Group Dinner
Our short ride today starts from Cortina and follows the race route up the final climb to watch the race. For our epic adventure, and possibly our toughest ride of the fortnight (our own queen stage), we will leave from our hotel and complete the final 60km of today’s stage, including the Giau pass, before heading up Tre Cime.
- Distance: 95km
- Verticle: 2900m
Madonna del Ghisallo
We have our final transfer today from the Dolomites to Lake Como. But to reach our hotel we will ride a common finishing route to the Autumn monument race, the Giro di Lombardia.
We will pass through Bellagio, where no doubt you will be able to visit with your partners in the coming days. Catch the ferry from Como to Bellagio. Today, however, we will enjoy a caffeine fix before tackling the climb.
Our support staff will depart today, and we will leave you in Pat’s hands once our ride is complete. We have arranged one last dinner tonight where you will be reunited with your partners. Officially we will finish in Como at our hotel, once the ride is complete.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS
- Madonna del Ghisallo
- Lake Como
- Bellagio
- Muro di Sormano
- Como
Our ride will flank the southeastern shoreline of Lake Como to Bellagio. From Bellagio we climb the rite of passage for all Italian cyclists, and is something only can be found in Italy. A dedicated chapel to all cyclists. It celebrates, commemorates and aims to protect cyclists on their journey – Madonna del Ghisallo.
From Ghisallo, we descend and have added the very steep dedicated bike pathway to Sormano – known as the Muro or Wall of Sormano. If you thought the Mortirolo was steep… We have a downhill run into Como and will meet up with our partners at our hotel.
- Distance: 75km
- Verticle: 1800m
Ride Challenging Climbs with the most experienced Tour Operator at Grand Tours
Bikestyle Tours has been organising and operating Grand Tour cycling tours for more than 25 years, 2023 marks our 28th year of sharing the excitement to see the biggest bike races in Europe.
Our Italy bike tours travel to North Italy to ride the Dolomites and the Italian Alps. Irrespective of the season, mountain conditions can change and for some of our guests, it’s the first time they’ve seen snow while on a bike. Each year, road closures in the mountains are possible and Giro stages are sometimes rerouted or cancelled because of late season snowfalls. But rest assured, our professional guides understand the conditions, manage safety, and have contingent plans to ensure your experience of a most memorable riding experience.
Snow is not unusual even at the height of Summer, during August or September – it does enhance the scenery! Our local knowledge, mountain experience and thorough planning minimises any disruption to your cycling holiday.
Stay in quality accommodation with Italian hospitality and Italian food
We choose 3-star and 4-star accommodation on our Italy bike tours and regularly return to family run hotels that have dedicated bike facilities – they have bike washdown areas, secure bike storage rooms, mechanical stands and some have an evening laundry service for cycling apparel. Rest assured, we also travel with a good supply of bike-washing equipment, mechanical spares and we have a tool-kit complete with a professional bike mechanic.
On many nights we eat at a local restaurant or from the great hotel kitchen. Italian culture is the most celebrated through its food – influenced by local ingredients and lovingly evolved from their “Nonna”, their grandmother’s recipe. A most welcoming sound over a home-cooked Italian meal “Mangiare, Mangiare”, eat-eat. Remember to restrain yourself on the first 2 courses, as often Italian meals have 4 or 5 courses. Yes, an Italian dessert is better in Italy.
Why Book with Bikestyle Tours?
A COVID-Safe plan
- All staff and guests must complete a pre-travel questionnaire prior to the start of the trip
- Bikestyle Tours complies with the COVID requirements of the local authorities (Tourism and Accommodation, Bike Tours); such as controls for social distancing, cleaning and hygiene, vehicle transport
- All guests must be fully vaccinated to join the tour
- Check your departure and return requirements for your country of residence
Are Trips Guaranteed Departures?
We make every effort to guarantee departures to give you peace of mind that once you’ve booked your trip – you’re going! We do not cancel trips due to insufficient numbers leaving you stranded.
