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Giro d'Italia "Experience" Week 3 - LOMBARDY, DOLOMITES & ROME

  • Location

    LOMBARDY, DOLOMITES & ROME

  • Duration

    8 days | 7 nights

Giro d'Italia

  • Length

    60 - 100 km daily

  • Climb

    200 m up to 2,200 m daily (depending on ability)

22 May 2023 - 29 May 2023

The final week of the Giro is always an epic one, and the 106th edition is set to be a classic. from the beautiful region of Lombardy to the mighty Dolomites including the Legendary Tre Cime di Lavaredo - and the Grand Finale in magnificent Rome... And as an "Official Tour Operator" of the Giro, we'll be as close to the race action as you can possibly get, including riding the best 60-100km on the race route just a few hours ahead of the pros.

"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 Dolomites are such an integral component of the Giro d’Italia and often the week that determines the winners. And you get the chance to roll along parts of the race routes; to experience some of the climbs and descents that these amazing athletes race on; to dive into the crazy chaotic passion of Giro fans; taste the best food and wine of the regions we pass through, and enjoy the cycle journey.

And we have designed this tour to allow you to enjoy the best 60-100km of each stage during the final week of the Giro, and at the same time enjoy watching the race itself, from the best possible vantage points.

We'll be riding in some of the classic cycle regions of northern Italy. You just have to relax and enjoy the kilometres, the views, the food, and the culture, and soak up the Giro atmosphere! Each evening, we'll enjoy local cuisine and stay in a lovely hotel - for this tour, the quality of hotels, food and wine are as important as the cycling.

As an "Official Tour Operator" of the Giro d'Italia, 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 from one of our 2018 guests to be convinced!

Total price: From €4,950

  • Level of fitness: MEDIUM - fit enough to ride 2 to 4 hrs or 50 to 80 km per day
  • Experience Week 3 Giro Italia Experience!
  • Ride the best 50-80km of all 6 stages of week 3, just hours before the pros.
  • Watch the Giro stars fight for the pink jersey, from the best vantage points!
  • On every stage, enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Giro and the support of the public
  • On at least one of the stages, cycle across the finish line, stand on the winners podium
  • Ride the Stage 21 in Rome and then watch the race from the comfort of the super VIP Lounge followed by the ceremony awards.
  • Savour fantastic Italian food and wine, and relax in our hand-picked high-quality hotels each evening
  • Expert planning and support from our team (guides, mechanics, drivers)
  • Premium Bike rental (carbon frame and Shimano Ultegra Di2 or equivalent) available

  • Day 1 - Monday, 22 May

    Benvenuto in Italia!

    Bongiorno and Benvenuto to lovely Lombardy. We will collect you at Milano-Malpensa airport and transfer you to your hotel on Lago di Garda. After check in and a light lunch or snack, we’ll hit the roads for a short test ride along the shores of lake Garda, and return to the hotel.

    Back at the hotel we’ll hold a tour briefing for the week, hand out the musettes and then regroup for dinner.

    Hotel in Lago di Garda

  • Day 2 - Tuesday, 23 May

    Stage 16 - Riva dil Garda to MONTE BONDONE

    48 km | 1,393 m or 55 km | 1,600 m

    The pros are riding 5,200m vertical today - a huge day. And it's like being a child in a candy shop trying to choose to ride on the race route. So we have options. First option is to ride from the shore of Lago di Garda, a bit of flat to warm up the legs before hitting the climbs. The ride up to Passo di Santa Barbara and Bordala provides stupendous views and plenty of hairpins on country roads. Then a descent to Rovereto. The second option is to continue riding to Matassone and maybe return to Rovereto for a GTP van transfer to Aldeno. Everything is dependent on time and enthusiasm, but you have a final option to climb Monte Bondone - a tough climb. Or we can drive to the best vantage point to watch the pros arrive and pass. Too many choices!

    Hotel in Levico Terme

  • Day 3 - Wednesday 24 May

    Stage 17 - PERGINE VALSUGANA - FIERA DI PRIMERO

    87 km | 1,200 m or 96km | 2,370 m

    Morning after breakfast the group has a transfer to Pergine Valsugana. Everyone watches the start line or (when the route is available) we can decide that guests can watch the professionals pass nearby the hotel and then head to the Dolomites.

    The ride will start either in Pergine Valsugana or Levico Terme. They will ride up the Passo della Forcella and Passo Broncon before descending to Fiera di Primero. Then transfer to the hotel in San Martino di Castrozza. For those who want to ride more, they can ride up to the hotel to San Martino di Castrozza (an extra 16kms and 770 m).

    Hotel in San Martino di Castrozza

  • Day 4 - Thursday, 25 May

    Stage 18 - AGORDO TO ZOLDO ALTO

    42 km | 1,370 m or 60 Km | 2120 m

    After breakfast we will transfer you to Agordo. But keeping it flexible, for those who would like to add kilometres to their Strava, you can ride from the hotel to Agordo (a 13 kilometre descent to Fiera di Primero) and then start climbing to Zolto Alto. An easier option is to ride 27 kilometres from Agordo to the finish. The last 5 kilometres is on the race route and lined with passionate fans waiting to cheer you and the pros. We will find a place amongst the crowds for the immersive experience and join them in cheering on the racers.

    One to two hours later you will be at your hotel near Cortina d’Ampezzo.

    Hotel in Cortina d´Ampezzo

  • Day 5 - Friday 26 May

    Stage 19 - CORTINA D´AMPEZZO - TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO

    30 km | 1,320 m or 67 km | 2,500 m

    Keeping this simple - after breakfast, we ride from our hotel directly to Rifugio Auronzo just below Tre Cime di Lavaredo and via Passo Tre Croci. But this is only 21 kilometres, we hear you say! Fear not, this 21 kilometres has its own challenges with steep ramps of up to 18% . Plus the added bonus of the magnificent Dolomites mountains and cliffs towering over you. For those who want to ride more, a extended early ride to Passo Giau can be arranged. Once at the finish, we’ll regroup at Lake Misurina to watch the race pass through and allow us a quick getaway to your hotel.

    Hotel in Tolmezzo area

  • Day 6 -Saturday, 27 May

    Stage 20 - Tarvisio - Monte Lussari ITT

    40km | 1200m

    Today …an ITT, flat and then very steep with a couple of 22% ramps plus potential GRAVEL! We suspect the organisers are throwing everything at this stage to shake up the places in the race. AND we invite you to Ride. Every. Kilometre. of this stage. So we will have an early breakfast and then race out along the ITT route from Tarvisio until the 11-kilometre mark and then turn left and start climbing the concrete paved lane to Monte Lussari. This is going to be a real challenge as it looks like the road turns into gravel. Once at the top, turn around and return to the base of the climb, carefully. Once in the GTP van, we will transfer you to Venice Mestre to take a fast train to Rome Termini. The GTP van will continue the journey with the bikes. In Rome, we will ensure you are safely taken to your hotel.

    Hotel in Rome

  • Day 7 - Sunday, 28 May

    Stage 21 - Rome circuit and VIP celebration!

    30 km

    After breakfast, we will find our way to the start and ride the 11.5 km race circuit. It will take us past some of the major Roman landmarks such as the ‘Homeland Altar’, the Senate Palace, the Circus Maximus and the Baths of Caracalla, before finishing at the Imperial Fora, near the Colosseum. After one or two circuits, we will cross the official Giro d’Italia Stage 21 Finish Line and then mount the winner’s podium for photos. Something to experience. Back at the hotel to refresh and change, we will return you to the VIP Lounge right at the start/finish and watch the race. Then we will access the Awards Ceremony area, the Italian organisers know how to throw a ceremony party. Something else to experience and never forget! At some stage, we will leave to have a final dinner and celebrate the end of our journey together.

    Hotel in Rome

  • Day 8 - Monday 29 May

    Arrivederci

    Today is the final day for our Giro d’Italia Week 3 Experience and we hope that you will feel invigorated and inspired for this summer.


    We hope this taste of the Dolomites and the finish in Rome has inspired you to visit again and hopefully with Grand Tours Project.

    We will help with checking out and transfer you to Rome airport for your return home or onward journey to elsewhere.


    Stay safe on the roads and hopefully see you soon

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