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GIRO D’ITALIA 2025: WEEK 3 “Experience” – ITALIAN ALPS

New tour
  • Tour Type

    Giro d'Italia Experience

  • Riding Level

    Leisure

  • Location

    Italy

  • Duration

    8 days | 7 nights | 6 stages

  • Length

    20 - 100 km daily

  • Climb

    Mixed terrain

26 May, 2025 - 2 Jun, 2025

The 2025 Giro d’Italia, the first Grand Tour of the season and are we excited? That would be an understatement! In 2025, the race route throws up surprises - Albania and southern Italy, the Ligurian coast to the Venetian Plain and Slovenia, finishing with a mountain stage; and Week 3 - NOT in the Dolomites but in the Italian Alps of Trentino Aldige, Lombardy, Aosta and Piedmonte, finishing on the giants, Finestre and Sestriere. And then a mad dash to Rome for Stage 21. This is going to be an adventure.

“This experience of riding on the same course as the pros, and just a few hours ahead of them, is unique in the sporting world. The atmosphere is simply incredible.” Keith Tuffley, Founder – Grand Tours Project.

The mountains in Week 3 are always challenging in Italy, in keeping with the Giro d’Italia description ‘the toughest race in the world’s most beautiful place’ and this time there is gravel as well on the Cime Coppi, Colle delle Finestre! Another famous climb includes Mortirolo  as well as numerous other lesser known gems like Santa Barbara, Saint-Pantaleon and Joux. And in 2025 Tadej Pogačar will be defending his win and the Maglia Rosa. He won by a huge margin in 2024, can he and his team, UAE Team Emirates do it again? 

Finally, it’s Italy – festive is an understatement! Superb Italian produce and famous regional dishes, fine wines; a country obsessed with the Giro and the colouring everything pink; passionate fans show support for everyone – professionals, amateurs and dilettantes. By the time Week 3 has arrived, the intensity, the expectations, and the stage celebrations will be in full force only to be outdone in Rome. It’s going to be spectacular!

The Grand Tours Project Giro Week 3 Experience provides finish line crossing and podium on Stage 19 at the finish line, as well as riding from the start on Stage 18 ; carefully crafted routes that include the climbs of the actual race route as well as a detour to Bellagio and the classic climbs above Lake Como; and top VIP Hospitality at the Stage 21 Finish line in Rome.  Add in our exceptional guides and team support, the comfortable hotels and Italian gastronomy and you have a perfect Giro d’Italia  Experience.

As an Official Tour Operator of the Giro d’Italia 2025, we have special access to the full race route, so we will have our support vehicle with us the whole distance, all the way to the finish line each day. Riding on the race course just a few hours before the pros makes this an unforgettable experience. Check out this story to be convinced!

If you are looking for a more challenging tour, please have a look at our Giro d’Italia Ride Every Kilometre tour.

Price: From €5,890

  • Ride parts of the race route just hours ahead of the pros
  • Stage 18 - Watch the riders sign from the official VIP zone starting in Morbegno and then ride from there to the beautiful Bellagio, Madonna del Guisallo and its museum & Muro di Sormano
  • Stage 19 - Cross the Official Finish and stand on the Giro Winners’ Podium in Champoluc & watch the riders pass from a strategic point on the road
  • Stage 21 - TOP VIP Hospitality in Rome plus podium awards
  • Challenge yourself on the Week 3 mountain passes: Santa Barbara; Tonale and Mortirolo; Saint-Pantaleon and Joux; Finistre and Sestriere
  • Be distracted by the magnificent mountain landscapes and lake views
  • Visit Bellagio and ride the Lake Como classics, Madonna del Ghisallo and Muro di Sormano
  • Enjoy the local produce and cuisine from Northern Italy
  • Level of fitness: MEDIUM - fit enough to ride 2 to 4 hours or 50 to 100 km per day
  • Expert planning and support from our team (guides, mechanics, drivers)
  • Bike rental (carbon frame and Shimano Ultegra Di2 or equivalent) is available

Itinerary

DAY 1: MONDAY 26 MAY

BENVENUTO - ARRIVAL VENICE & RIVA DEL GARDA - 20 km | 200 m

First day riding, first day climbing in beautiful environments, a recurring feature of the Italian Alps. Depending upon your enthusiasm and goals. You can ride from the hotel to Bolognano and the start of the steep but stunning climb to Santa Barbara (1,174 m) – views of Lake Garda, rocky escarpments, forests, immaculate roads and 25 hairpins. Enjoy the descent to Loppio and after a short flat commence climbing again to San Valentino Brentonico, the ski resort. Again, amazing views to distract you from the long climb. The shorter option is the single climb, either to Santa Barbara or Loppio to San Valentino.

DAY 2: TUESDAY 27 MAY

STAGE 16 - SANTA BARBARA & SAN VALENTINO - SHORT OPTIONS 33 km | 1,140 m or 22 km | 1,220 m OR LONG OPTION 55 km | 2,350 m

First day riding, first day climbing in beautiful environments, a recurring feature of the Italian Alps. Depending upon your enthusiasm and goals you can ride from the hotel to Bolognano and the start of the steep but stunning climb to Santa Barbara (1,174 m) – views of Lake Garda, rocky escarpments, forests, immaculate roads and 25 hairpins. Enjoy the descent to Loppio and after a short flat commence climbing again to San Valentino Brentonico, the ski resort. Again, amazing views to distract you from the long climb. The shorter option is the single climb, either to Santa Barbara or Loppio to San Valentino.

DAY 3: WEDNESDAY 28 MAY

STAGE 17 - TONALE & MORTIROLO - 52 km | 1,900 m

Today you will tackle the legendary Mortirolo which first featured in the 1990 Giro d’Italia.  The Mortirolo (1,852 m) is renowned for its hairpin bends and narrow road that winds gracefully to the summit. Starting from the base of Passo del Tonale (1,877 m) you will ride approximately 14 km on a steady ascent, and then descend 24 km and about 1000 m to Monno to start the Mortirolo ascent. During the ascent or to the summit, the team will find a place to watch the pros ride by. When the roads reopen you can ride down to the van and transfer to your hotel.

DAY 4: THURSDAY 29 MAY

STAGE 18 - MORBEGNO VIP START, BELLAGIO, GHISALLO MUSEUM & MURO DI SORMANO - 26 km | 1,280 m +

GTP have organised entry to the Giro VIP start area. A chance to wander past the team buses, admire the bikes and chat with support teams and riders. Soon enough, teams and the leaders are called up and presented to the crowds of fans at the start line and they’re off.  The GTP team will transfer you to Varenna for a ferry ride to the beautiful and glamorous Bellagio, coffee and light refreshments before the classic ride with fantastic views to Madonna del Ghisallo and the cycling museum. After the museum visit, you must attempt the infamous Muro di Sormano! Only 1.8 km but it’s called a wall for good reason.

DAY 5: FRIDAY 30 MAY

STAGE 19 - COL SAINT-PANTALEON , COL DE JOUX & CHAMPOLUC CROSS FINISH LINE & PODIUM - 32 km | 1,400 m OR 76 km | 2,720 m

The Aosta Valley and surrounding mountains that lead to Switzerland and France dominate this day. And 2 options. Both start from the hotel – the shorter option is direct to the alpine village, Champuloc via Col de Joux (1,642 m) and Brusson. The long option includes a loop to Col de Saint-Pantaleon (1,665 m) before returning to Chatillon and on the same short option route to Champuloc. Watch the Stage finish from the VIP Hospitality area and then a transfer to Susa.

DAY 6: SATURDAY 31 MAY

STAGE 20 - COL DELLE FINESTRE & SESTRIERE - 47 km | 2,330 m

THE last day of climbs and THE Cima Coppi climb of the Giro – Colle delle Finestre (2,178 m) and a bucket list climb. The ascent is a real adventure – 19 km and an unrelenting 1,700 m of climbing with an average of 9%. There are 44 hairpins to assist you and adding to the challenge, the last 7-8 km is gravel! Don’t stop at Finestre, enjoy a downhill run and then a 17 km climb to Sestriere (2,035 m). As soon as everyone has regrouped, you will be transferred to Torino Station for a fast train to Rome and the bikes transferred in the vans.

DAY 7 : SUNDAY 1 JUNE

STAGE 21 - ROMA LOOP - 50 km+ | 200 m

Final day of riding. Stage 21 is in Rome and according to our guides, the best place to finish. Straight after breakfast the team will take you on a circuit that is part of the race route, past Roman, mediaeval and Renaissance structures and buildings to the official Giro Finish with all the cheering and support from fans lining the final kilometre! A quick change and then into the Leonardo VIP Hospitality area to watch the race on the screens and then live to the thunderous cheering of fans as the sprinters, teams and winners arrive. Stay for the presentation and then a final celebratory dinner.

DAY 8: MONDAY 2 JUNE

DEPARTURE - ARRIVEDERCI

What a week! Are you invigorated and ready for summer? Inspired to continue your col challenges? The 108th edition of the Giro d’Italia is completed but in about a month’s time the Tour de France will start – will you join us there? If not, drag up the armchair and turn on the tele for another 3 weeks of intense racing…and remember your Giro Week 3 Experience in the Italian mountains.

The team will help you check out and take you to the Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport for your onward journey.

Additional information

Is this for me?

This "Experience" tour is designed for intermediate riders, who wish to also enjoy the food and wine, lovely hotels, and the full atmosphere of the Giro d’Italia.

  • Level of fitness: MEDIUM – fit enough to ride 2 to 4 hrs or 50 to 100 km per day
  • Intermediate to advanced cycling abilities and skills.
  • Some experience on climbs and descents.
  • Basic and adequate training in advance of the trip.
  • The guides will set clear parameters such as road rules, food breaks, and waiting at the top of a pass. Their instructions must be followed at all times.
  • The safety of all our team members is our first priority. You are required to ride safely, respect all road rules, and follow the instructions of our guides and of any officials, for your benefit and for the other team members.
  • Non-riding partners will have activities to enjoy. We’ll all come together to experience the race, for lunches and dinners, making it a shared adventure!

Why are there 2 different ride distances on the daily descriptions? (e.g. 65km / 750m or 148km / 1,800m )

On those days you will be able to choose from either a longer or shorter ride option. Both rides will be supported by a guide and vehicle.

What's Included?

The full Giro experience, the best coffee in the world, being cheered by the fans, stunning landscapes, challenging climbs, new friends, pure air and time away from your smartphone are guaranteed on this trip.

  • 7 nights accommodation in hotels hand-picked by our experienced team
  • Meals: breakfast & dinner
  • Picnic or café lunch during rides
  • Cross the official Stage 19 Arrival and mount the Giro Winners’ Podium
  • Entry to the Giro VIP Start Hospitality at Stage 18 and Ride from the official Giro Start
  • Entry to the Giro TOP VIP Finish Hospitality at Stage 21 in Rome & celebration awards
  • Energy nutrition (gels, energy bars, electrolytes, energy drinks, recovery drinks etc.)
  • Knowledgeable and experienced guide(s)
  • Fully supported tour with vehicle and mechanic
  • Cleaning kit and tool kit available for use (mechanic will look after your bike daily)
  • Grand Tours Project cycling kit (Santini full premium kit + custom Scicon rain bag)
  • Handbook including all the details you need to know on your trip
  • GPX files – for bike computer devices
  • Transfers from Venice Marco Polo Airport and to Leonardo da Vinci Rome Fiumicino Airport, within a predefined time window

What’s Not Included?

  • Flights/transportation to the defined pick-up/drop-off locations
  • Lunch on arrival and departure days
  • Travel Insurance
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Bike rental (carbon frame and Shimano Ultegra or equivalent) available on request

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