Ultimate Giro d’Italia 2023

DAY 2 – Sunday 24th May.

Southern Dolomites & a Mountain Top Finish

Breakfast: 7am
Depart hotel: 8:30m Ride start: 10:00am
Distance: 45km-105km Climbing: 1145m – 2600m
TdF Race: BASE AEREA RIVOLTO (Frecce Tricolori) – PIANCAVALLO 183 km
Accommodation: Beluno Region – 2 of 2 nights

About our day:

After breakfast we depart our Team Hotel in our vehicles, we transfer 1.5 hrs to the foot of the Dolomites to start our rides, it’s near this same point we’ll see the Giro d’Italia pass later today.

We jump straight into the action on day two of our Giro d’Italia tour and see a mountain top stage finish. Seeing a high-intensity mountain racing stage is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon.

5pm: After the race passes, we transfer to our Team Hotel in our vehicles, 1.5 hrs.

Non-cycling options:

Join the group today as we head to see the Giro d’Italia finish in a lovely hilly / mountainous part of Italy. Join the group on a scenic tour of the southern Dolomites in our vehicle, explore the local villages, pause for coffee and a snack in some smaller towns and villages and soak up the Italian way of life. Alternatively ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations in the area.

Our Ride:

Ride – starts 10:00am 45 – 105km/ 1200m – 2600m climbing.
45 km: Shorter ride will enjoy a more relaxed tempo, experience Italian la Dolce Vita, visit small towns and villages enroute, enjoy a coffee, a snack and then ride final 14.5km Climb to Piancavallo, to watch todays Giro Stage finish on the climb.

70km – 105km: The wolf-pack ride will head out on 60km loop climbing the beautiful 1127m Passo Crosetta before tackling the Piancavallo, which is the final climb & finish of todays Giro stage.

The Piancavallo finale is 14.5km, 1145m climbing at 7.9% avg gradient, we’ll all be there to see Giro d’Italia action.

The Medium 70km ride option will see the race pass on the lower slopes of the Piancavallo climb. We’ll experience the excitement of watching the race finish live on TV from a local bar.

Race: BASE AEREA RIVOLTO (Frecce Tricolori) – PIANCAVALLO 183 km

 Après Bike:

7.30pm: Meet in Hotel Lobby for dinner.

 Accommodation:

Beluno Region – 2 of 2 nights

DAY 3 – Monday 25th May

Delightful Day in the Dolomite Mountains

Breakfast: 7am-8am
Depart hotel: 8am Transfer: 1.5 hours
Ride start: 10:30am
Distance: 35km-65km-125km Climbing: 650m / 2000m / 3200m.
Giro Race: Race Rest Day
Accommodation: Italian Dolomites, 1 of 2 Nights

About our day:

Today we hit the Mountains! We’ll take a morning transfer through the Italian Dolomites and head deep into the mountains to our next Team Hotel.  You’ll get your first taste of the beautiful Italian Dolomites on this year’s Giro d’Italia tour.

Once at our hotel we’ll unpack, we then head out on the bikes – or in the vehicle on a spectacular loop of the Dolomites.

7.30pm: Meet Hotel Lobby. Dinner Included.

Non-cycling options:

Join the group on a scenic tour of the beautiful Dolomite mountains, pause at the mountain chalets for a coffee and a snack, definitely bring your camera, it’s a stunning part of the world.

Alternatively there’s option to explore our local village, or head to the towns thermal spa center. Ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations.

Our Ride:

Ride – starts 10:30am: 
35km–65km-125km / 650m-2000m-3200m climbing.

From our Team Hotel deep in the Italian Dolomites, we ride down the Fassa Valley on a beautiful loop through the jaw droppingly beautiful Italian Dolomites, we pass over the Passo Rolle, Passo Valles, Pass Pellegrino. Options from 35km – 65km/ 650m – 2000m climbing.

We’ll also need to keep our fatigue levels in mind as we head into a series of decent climbing days, with this one just being something of an entrée.

Optional Extras 60km/1200m.
Late in the day we’ll pass through our Team Hotel, then head up to see a piece of James Bond History, we ride the Passo Fedai, then over Lago de Fedai and under the peak of the impressive Marmolda. Total = 125km/3200m

Race: Giro Rest Day 

 Après Bike:

7.30pm:  Meet in the hotel lobby, dinner at our Team hotel.

 Accommodation:

Italian Dolomites – 1 of 2 nights

DAY 4 – Tuesday 26th May

Worlds Best Loop Ride – Sella Ronda Dolomites

Breakfast: 7am-8am
Ride departs hotel: 8.30am
Distance: 55km-95km-150km Climbing: 1700m – 4150m
Giro Race: UDINE – SAN DANIELE DEL FRIULI 228 km
Accommodation: Italian Dolomites – 2 of 2 nights

About our day:

We will leave the hotel by bike or in the vehicle this morning depending on your ride choice, you’re in for an amazing day on the Sella Ronda Loop, you’ll ride in the heart of the jaw-droppingly beautiful Dolomite Mountains.

The Sella Ronda loop is an absolute classic cycling route, it’s famous around the world. We are happy to talk today up as it’s one of the best days / rides you can do. May is the best time of year to ride it as it’s quiet early in the cycling season.

The loop itself traverses four famous mountain passes through scenery that genuinely deserves the word ‘dramatic’ as the bulk of the Piz Boè looms above you.

These passes were the scene of some of the most famous battles in Italian cycling and at the Passo Pordoi there’s a monument to Fausto Coppi and another that commemorates the winners of the Cima Coppi (the first person over the highest point in each Giro d’Italia).

Please stop regularly, soak it up, enjoy and take lots of photos, it’s a day you will remember fondly for years to come.

After the Sella Ronda we will return to the hotel by bike or vehicle, a good soak at the local thermal spa could be a good option to recharge.

Non-cycling options:

Today you can choose to relax and unwind at the towns thermal spa, enjoy the beautiful spa and the immediate surrounds, or join the group and take a drive around the Sella Ronda Loop, we’ll pause at the top of the pass’s for photo’s, drink hot chocolate, pass out some snacks and plenty of encouragement to our riders. We’ll take a hearty Italian mountain lunch in one of the mountain top chalets.

From a bike or a vehicle, this is one of the most spectacular drives/place’s you’ll likely ever visit, bring your camera you’ll take lots of photo’s today.

or ask us for some options based on your personal interests, we have some great recommendations here in the Italian Dolomites.

Our Ride:

Ride start: 8.30am

Distance: 55km | 75km | 95km • Climbing:  1700m | 1770m | 2450m

Optional Extra’s: Double Sella Ronda Loop 150km / 4150m

We will leave the hotel by bike or in the vehicle this morning for an amazing day out on the Sella Ronda.

Our longer route of 95km will leave our Hotel on the bike and travel through Canazei where we will start our ascent of the Passo Pordoi. About halfway up the Passo Pordoi we turn right onto the Sella Ronda circuit. This is where our 55km Sella Ronda Loop group will start, the 55km route is a great option to ensure you achieve the Sella Ronda Loop first and foremost, you can always cycle back the additional 20km to the hotel after you’ve completed the loop if your energy levels are still good for a total of 75km.

The longer 95km ride will climb almost 2500m and the shorter ride will do about 1700m.

None of the climbs are particularly long or very steep and the total amount of climbing is quite manageable as it’s broken up into four stages, you have all day to complete the ride so you can take your time and break the ride up with multiple stops, you’ll be so distracted by the incredible scenery you’ll hardly notice you are climbing.

The four passes are:

• Passo Pordoi (2239m)
• Passo di Campolongo (1875m)
• Passo di Gardena (Grodnerjoch) (2121m)
• Passo di Sella (2213)

You’ll see we have included a double loop of the Sella Ronda as an option. It’s a great way for those that really want to clock up some big vertical meters to do the Sella loop in a anti-clockwise and then clockwise direction, then cycle back to the hotel. We’ll have dinner and a massive beer ready for your arrival at the hotel.

Race:  UDINE – SAN DANIELE DEL FRIULI 228 km

 Après Bike: 7.30pm Meet in our Hotel Lobby for Dinner

 Accommodation:

Italian Dolomites – 2 of 2 nights

DAY 5 -Wednesday 27th May

To The Italian Alps – A Giro Mountain Stage Passo Bondone.

Breakfast: 7am-8am
Depart hotel: 8.30am – Transfer in vehicles approx 1.5 hours
Ride start: 10.30am
Distance: 50 -80km. An Active Recovery Day.
Giro Race: BASSANO DEL GRAPPA – MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO 202 km
Accommodation: Italian Alps – 1 of 2 nights

About our day:

This morning after breakfast we depart the Dolomites in our vehicles, we transfer north west toward the Italian Alps, Approximately 1.5 hours. We’ll pause mid transfer to have an active recovery ride and see todays mountain stage on Passo Bondone.

3pm: Apres see’ing the excitement of stage 17, we complete the transfer to our new base deep in the Italian Alps. Approx 4 hours.

8pm: Meet Hotel Lobby for Dinner.

Non-cycling options:

Transfer Day to the Italian Alps, join the group as we depart the Dolomites and head for the Alps. We’ll pause mid transfer to see the Giro d’Italia stage on the Passo Bondone, or Alternatively, let us know your passions and interests, we’ll offer some great alternative suggestions for your day.

Our Ride:

Ride start: 10.30am
50 -80km. Active recovery day.
Today we take in a nice loop ride, we ride the Gir d’Italia mountain stage midpoint climb up to the Passo Bondone, we’ll see the race pass over the top of the climb then head down to our vehicles via an alternative route.

Race: BASSANO DEL GRAPPA – MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO 202 km

 Après Bike:

Suggested Sports Recovery: Local sparkling mineral water, a cool refreshing Birra Moretti or a local artigianale gelato.

 Accommodation:

Italian Alpes – 1 of 2 nights

DAY 6 – Thursday 28th May

Giro d’Italia on the Stelvio Pass.

Breakfast: 7am-8am
Ride start: 8:30am
Distance:  50km – 80km Climbing: 1600m – 2600m
Giro Race: PINZOLO – LAGHI DI CANCANO 209 km
Accommodation: Italian Alpes, 2 of 2 Nights

About our day:

This morning we will be away from the hotel early. Hopefully, you have plenty left in your legs! We are off to climb the Stelvio, one of the highest climbs in Europe.

Bordering Switzerland at an elevation of 2,757 m (9,045 ft) above sea level it is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, and the second highest in the Alps, 13 m below France’s Col de l’Iseran (2,770 m).

This afternoon we will be one of the highlights of our Giro d’Italia tour, we get to see the Giro d’Italia on the Stelvio pass, we’ll have front row seats as we watch the race pass on either the Passo Stelvio or on the final climb to Laghi di Cancano.

When the race passes it’s sure to be spread out by many minutes with a likely break of opportunists, followed by the GC contenders and later by the grupetto of domestiques and sprinters who have either done their job or have no interest in riding full gas up the mountains!

Both today’s viewing locations are close to our Team Hotel in the Italian Alpes. It’s going to be an amazing day of riding and race watching, this incredibly tough Giro stage will see the race leader – perhaps race winner emerge from the GC contenders.

Non-cycling options:

Today we have two great options, choices, choices, choices.

The Bernina Express Train Day Trip, Tirano to St Moritz
or Take a relaxing morning at the hotel –  visit Bormio’s thermal spa’s – explore the old center of Bormio with a Gelato in hand, then see the race pass at the base of the Stelvio or the lower slopes of the Laghi di Cancano climb.

More about The Bernina Express Railway: (tickets are an optional non-inclusion)

The Bernina Express return train journey to St Moritz is one of the great train journeys in the world, it’s all about the journey and one of the most spectacular ways to cross the Alps, it winds its way gently through splendid Alpine scenery.

On the highest railway across the Alps, the Bernina Express climbs up to glistening glaciers and blends alpine landscapes. The train from Tirano to St Moritz negotiates some of the 55 tunnels, 196 bridges and inclines of up to 70 per mille with ease. Once in St Moritz you’ll have a few hours to explore, take some lunch before catching the return train back down to Tirano.

Visitors can delight in the cultural and natural surroundings and enjoy the Alps at their most impressive. The railway line from  Tirano – St Moritz has UNESCO World Heritage status. Thanks to modern carriages, you will enjoy views of the unspoilt Alpine panorama.

The Bernina Express departs Tirano around 10.00am, arrives in St Moritz at 12.30 pm. The return journey departs St Moritz at around 3pm and arrives back in Tirano at 5.30 pm where we will collect you and drive to our Hotel.

Our Ride:

Ride – starts 8:30am

This morning we will be away from the hotel early to climb the Passo Stelvio, one of the most iconic and beautiful cycling roads in the world, it’s one of the highest passes in Europe.

The Passo dello Stelvio ascent is 21.5 km long. Over this distance, you climb 1533 metres at an average of 7.1%. It’s not the hardest climb you will ever do, but it’s relentless. You’ll be riding into thin air and riding through the iconic walls of snow on the sides of the road near the top of the pass, it’s a special day on the bike.

You won’t be short of company on the ride up the Stelvio or at the top of the pass. The climb will be busy with cyclists and the hardy Italian Tifossi fans. It’s generally pretty chilly at the top of the Stevio in May, we’d suggest putting on some warm layers for the descent, a selfie in front of the Passo Stelvio sign then head down the mountain. If you plan to stay at the top to watch the race pass, it’s best to have plenty of warm clothing on hand.

Everything that goes up must come down and it is the same for us as we descend back to Bormio, carefully make your way down this beautiful road. 3km down from the top of the Stelvio you may like to take a short 250m side trip to the Swiss Border – It also marks the top of the Swiss side of the Stelvio – The Umbrail Pass.

Back on the Stelvio descent, pause often to take it all in, enjoy this amazing place as there are some incredible uninterrupted vista’s, landscapes and photos to be had in this unique remote area. we encourage everyone to not “race” down the descent and really absorb its beauty, you won’t see anything else like it in Italy.

If you feel like a few optional extra’s today after the Stelvio climb, you can head back out on the road towards the Stelvio, then onto the Climb to the Torre Fraele, it’s a beautiful climb of about 15km with incredible switchbacks leading up to an old fort. From the top the views down over the valley and the unique road you just cycled up are amazing. At the top of the climb is todays stage finish at Lago Cancano, after the stage finish around 5.30pm you can descend back down to Bormio and onto our Alps Team Hotel.

 Race: PINZOLO – LAGHI DI CANCANO (Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio) 209 km 

 Après Bike:

Suggested Sports Recovery Drink: Local Italian Alps sparkling mineral water, it’s high in Magnesium. Local Vino Rosso (red wine) is full of antioxidants which will assist to clear any lactic acid build up from todays cycling.

8pm: Free program for dinner to explore our village’s restuarants, bars and eateries. We’ve got plenty of great suggestions let us know your preffered dining style and we’ll point you in the right direction for a great local place.

Alternatively, Meet in the Hotel lobby. We’ll be heading out for a social /informal dinner (non-inclusion), we’ll make a plan for dinner – feel free to join us.

 Accommodation:

Italian Alps – 2 of 2 Nights

DAY 7 – Friday 29th May

Passo Mortirollo – Lake Como/ Lecco

Breakfast: 7am-8am
Ride start: 8:30am Depart hotel: 8.30am
Distance: 30km-70km / 100km (if time permits – optional riding extras: Mortirollo from both sides – add 30km and 1000m) Climbing: 1500m – 2500m
Giro Race: MORBEGNO – ASTI 251 km
Accommodation: Lake Como/Lecco – 1 of 2 nights

About our day:

Depart our team Hotel by bike or in our vehicle, we transfer out of the Italian Alps down the Stelvio valley to the base of the Passo Mortirollo.

We head up to the summit of the legendary Mortirollo then take a late lunch at the lovely cross roads town of Tirano.

Late Afternoon we transfer from Tirano to Lake Como /Lecco. 90mins.
Early evening, it’s gelato time while you explore Lecco, our beautful lakeside village.

8pm: Informal social dinner at one of our favorite local restuarants (Non inclusion)”

Non-cycling options:

Transfer day from the Italian Alps to Lake Como /Lecco. Enroute we pause to explore the lovely Passo Mortirollo, there’s an option to join the cycling group in the vehicle or explore the village/town of Tirano.

Our Ride:

Ride starts 8:30am

Ride: 30km-70km  (100km if time permits – optional riding extras: Mortirollo from both sides – adds 30km and 1000m = 100km/2500m)
Climbing: 1500m – 2500m

From our Team Hotel or transfer to Mazzo start point. From the Hotel we ride along the Stelvio valley and down to the base of the Passo Mortirollo, ride what Lance Armstrong called the hardest climb he ever raced up “The Mortirollo”.

Starting from Mazzo, the Mortirolo ascent is 12.4 km long. Over this distance, you’ll climb 1300 metres in altitude with an average percentage of 10.5% and a maximum of 18%, yes it’s steep.

We descend the Mortirolo and head down the valley for lunch in the lovely village of Tirano.

Race: MORBEGNO > ASTI 251 km

 Après Bike:

Suggested Sports Recovery Drink: After a fantastic day on the Mortirollo it’s a tough choice between a cold local craft beer or a G&T, either one will have you rehydrated quickly and ready to go again tomorrow.
Gelato each day is compulsary in Italy

8pm:

Free program for dinner to explore our village’s restuarants, bars and eateries. We’ve got plenty of great suggestions let us know your preffered dining style and we’ll point you in the right direction for a great local place.

Alternatively, Meet in the Hotel lobby. We’ll be heading out for a social /informal dinner, we’ll make a plan for dinner – feel free to join us at one of our favorite local restuarants (Non inclusion).

 Accommodation:

Lake Como/Lecco – 1 of 2 Nights

Day 8 – Saturday 30th May

Lake Como – Chapel Madonna Ghisallo – Wall of Sormano

Breakfast: 7am-8am
Ride start: 8:30am Depart hotel Non-Cycling: 8.30am
Distance: 30km-65km-80km Climbing: 700m – 2600m
Giro Race: ALBA – SESTRIERE 200 km
Accommodation: Lake Como/Lecco – 2 of 2 nights

About our day:

A special day today, we depart our hotel either on the bike or travel along beautiful Lake Como by vehicle.

There are many places in the world that are considered to be spiritual home’s of cycling: the twenty-one hairpins of Alpe d’Huez, the pavé of the Arenberg Forest, and the Muur van Geraardsbergen among them. Nothing though, can really claim the spiritual tag like the small chapel/church that sits at the top of Madonna del Ghisallo climb.

Being an almost permanent fixture on the percorso of the Giro di Lombardia – as well as featuring regularly in the course of the Giro d’Italia – has kept the chapel in the forefront of the cycling world over the years and a collection of cycling memorabilia that would be the envy of any museum has accumulated inside.

The walls of the tiny chapel are almost covered in pennants of cycling clubs from all over the world, jerseys from champions of the recent and distant past, and most prominently, a selection of bikes that have made history.

Partly because the collection of cycling artefacts accumulated was becoming far too big for the small chapel, a purpose-built Museo di Ciclismo has been created nearby. In contrast to the traditional style of the chapel of the Madonna, the ultra-modern museum building is cut into the very side of the mountain itself – its massive plate glass windows affording breathtaking views of the Lombardia hills and the Lago di Lecco below.

Late today we’ll relax in a local bar with a spritz in hand, to watch the final mountain stage of the 2020 Giro d’Italia.

Non-cycling options:

Travel with the group to visit and explore the beautiful village of Bellagio – pause for morning tea. Next up visit the lovely chapel of Madonna Ghisallo, the Wall of Sormano, then return to Lake Lecco / Como via an alternative route back to the lake.

Our Ride:
30km-65km-80km/750m – 2600m

This morning we ride directly from our Team Hotel on the flatter shores of Lake Como/Lecco, we ride along the beautiful lake road to Bellagio.

From Bellagio we ride up the famous climb to the Cycling Church – the Chapel of Madonna Ghisallo. We pause at the Chapel of Madonna Ghisallo to explore the church, the cycling museum and enjoy a quick coffee.

From the top of the climb at the Chapel we all descend in the same direction, it’s optional to head to ride the out and back pass of Sormano or via the incredibly steep Muro d’ Surmano / Wall of Sormano – made famous by the end of season race the Giro d’Lombardia “The race of the falling leaves”.

We all return to our lakeside Team hotel either in our vehicel or by bike via an alternative route back down to Lake Como/Lecco for a Gelato. We’ll be back in time to watch the thrilling penultimate stage finish of the Giro d’Italia live on TV from a local bar.

Race: ALBA – SESTRIERE 200 km

 Après Bike:

Suggested Sports Recovery Drink: After a fantastic day on lake como / lecco an Aperol Spritz will be perfect to toast todays stage winner to Sestriere.

8pm: Free program for dinner to explore our village’s many fine restuarants, bars and eateries. We’ve got plenty of great suggestions let us know your preffered dining style and we’ll point you in the right direction for a great local place.

Alternatively, Meet in the Hotel lobby. We’ll be heading out for a social /informal dinner, we’ll make a plan for dinner – feel free to join us at one of our favorite local restuarants (Non inclusion).

 Accommodation:

Lake Como/Lecco – 2 of 2 Nights

Day – 9 Sunday 31st May

Milano Giro d’Italia Finale – The Race of Truth Time Trial.

Breakfast: 7am-8am
Depart hotel in Vehicle: 8.30am – 1 hour transfer
Ride start: 10.00am
Distance: 70km Climbing: 200m
Giro Race: CERNUSCO SUL NAVIGLIO  – MILANO TT – 16.5 km
Farewell Dinner: 8pm
Accommodation: Saronno –  1 night

About our day:

This morning after breakfast we depart our hotel on beautiful Lake Como/Lecco by vehicle bound for our new team hotel in Saronno, it’s situated between Milan, Varese and Como. 1 hour transfer.

Once at our hotel we ride to the Time Trial Course and follow the course into Milano Central, we take a sightseeing loop around beautiful Milan central, have your camera handy.

We then back to our Hotel to freshen up.

2pm: we transfer to Milan central for a day of sightseeing, relaxing, watch the Final Giro d’Italia stage, we ‘ll see the race winner crowned and the final podium presentations as only the Italian’s can do. The final stage and presentations for every Giro d’Italia are fantastic, it’s an exciting afternoon.

6pm: Return to our Hotel to freshen up and frock up for our final Giro d’Italia celebration dinner.

8pm: Meet in our hotel lobby for our Farewell Dinner.

Non-cycling options:

Travel with the group this morning as we transfer to our new hotel.

Upon arrival you can choose to walk into the centro storico – old town to enjoy the beauty of the little yet great city of Saronno. You can discover all the secrets of this jewel of art and architecture. or Alternatively meet the cycling group in Milano central for a group photo at the Duomo di Milano.

We’ll all return to Milano and the Duomo di Milano layer this afternoon to experience the fantastic atmosphere of the Giro d’Italia finish.

Our Ride:
Ride: 70km / 200m climbing
Start 10am: Morning ride from our Hotel to the start of the Time Trial Course, we’ll follow the course into Milano Central, take a sightseeing loop around beautiful Milan central, have your camera handy.

After some Milano sightseeing and photos we ride back to our Hotel to freshen up.

Race: CERNUSCO SUL NAVIGLIO – MILANO TT – 16.5 km

 Après Bike:

Suggested Sports Recovery Drink: Try a family favorite, DiSaronno Amaretto, the “secret formula” is unchanged since 1525.

8pm: Meet in our hotel lobby for a short walk to our Farewell Dinner.

 Accommodation:

Saronno – 1 Nights