Giro d'Italia "Challenge" Week 3 - The Alps, Stelvio & Milano

We'll greet you at Venice airport and transport you to our superb hotel in Udine. Our team will help you unpack and build your bike, we'll hand out the team kit, and make final preparations before tomorrow's ride. After discussing the week's programme, the team will enjoy a relaxed stroll in the city centre and then a hearty dinner in an excellent restaurants specialising in local dishes.

What a stage to kick off the final week of the Giro - 148km and the longest stage of the final week. Starting from Udine, an early start will take us through the Julian Prealps, before entering the valley of the Tagliamento river. And this is where the fun will start, 76kms in and we'll begin the technical circuit (*3) taking in steep ramps leading to the Castello di Susans (15%) and to Monte Ragogna (16%)... This is a prime viewing spot for spectators and you will be cheered on by the fans! Once we conquer these epic climbs, we then descend down towards San Daniele Del Friuli for the stage finish. We'll watch the pros and transfer to Bassano del Grappa for a good nights sleep!

It’s week 3 and that means a guaranteed week on solid climbing and Stage 17, is certainly delivering… We will climb 2,850m today over 2 mountain passes. Starting the ride from Bassano del Grappa with an undulating 40km roll out, before reaching our first climb of the day, Forcella Valbona (a first-ever pass for the Giro). We’ll descend down to Aldeno and immediately continue up Monte Bondone (another first), with gradients over 10% in the second part of the ascent. After two challenging passes we will head to the tranquil Lago di Levico to our hotel and relax in the healing waters.

Epic day Alert...Passo dello Stelvio…and THEN the short sharp steep Torri di Fraele, crossing the Stage 18 finish at Laghi di Cancano. Glorenza to Castelbello or Silandro for a warm up and join the official race route. Returning along the route, at Prato Allo Stelvio we start ascending to Passo dello Stelvio, 53km and 1900m climb. Near the summit there will likely be snowbanks and thousands of supporters. Make sure to take the obligatory photos under the Stelvio altitude sign and then enjoy your long descent. Just before Bormio we turn left and take the final climb, up the 21 switchbacks to Lago di Cancano. Here, we will watch the pros fight for the podium!

The Giro has started here in 1991, 2009 and 2011! After we have watched Stage 19 set off, our GTP peloton will start chasing them – Good Luck! At Como, we'll ride to Madonna del Ghisallo and visit the museum, learning more about the legendary cyclists of the area and the Giro. After a coffee or two, we will climb Il Muro di Sormano … a legendary 1.7km climb. The road is stencilled with times and quotes from riders in the 1960s. With an average climb of 17% and a maximum of 25%, this is a real challenge and one to brag about when you return home. GTP crew will be on hand to document your achievement!

We'll ride from Turin to Cesana Torinese and cross into France to ascend Montgenevre and aim to also ascend Col d'Izoard before turning around an exhilarating race ahead of the pros to Sestriere, the last climb of the Giro. The route will be lined with excited and emotional fans from all over the world. It will be exhausting… but for the Giro teams, this last day of fierce competition with four massive climbs, they will have used their last reserves and they will be totally fatigued and debilitated. The Giro is after all the toughest and most beautiful race. When the race is finished, we will transfer to Milan.

Riding in the city of Milano, on the route of the 103rd edition of the Giro, will be an exciting experience. The Individual Time Trial is perfectly flat (or very slightly downhill), we’ll ride down the avenues, to the finish line at Piazza Duomo. This is a “classic” finale in the city that gave birth to the Giro. We'll start early so we can complete our ride well before midday - and then rejoice with the crowds as we cross the finish line and take pictures on the podium! Our hotel is centrally located from the start/finish lines, so we'll freshen up, then enjoy a relaxed celebratory lunch, before joining the luxury VIP Tent to watch the Individual Time Trial. At the race conclusion, we'll join in the Giro award celebrations, and then have our final team dinner in a great restaurant in central Milano.

Congratulations - you have achieved one of the great cycling challenges: ridden three quarters of a full week of the Giro mountain stages, with the pros just hours behind you. You can't get closer to the action than this! After last night's celebratory dinner and this morning's sleep-in, a hearty breakfast, and good Italian coffee, we'll help you with packing your bike and transport you to Milan Malpensa airport for your trip home. You'll be taking home memories, achievements, new friendships and bragging rights that you will never forget.