Santini Granfondo Stelvio 2024

We will meet you at Milano Malpensa airport in the morning and transport you to our beautiful hotel in stunning Bellagio. We'll help you get your bike ready; hand out the team kit; and make final preparations before this afternoon's ride.

There will be two welcome ride options: The Madonna del Ghisallo Loop, slightly longer but with less climbing or the more direct “Madonna del Ghisallo Climb”. Both routes take you to the Church of Madonna del Ghisallo (the patroness of cyclists) and home to the Ghisallo Cycling Museum with a diverse array of former racing bikes, artifacts and information about the cycling greats and their favourite routes. A place to be inspired. Once back at the hotel, we will discuss the week’s program followed by a healthy and delicious Italian dinner.

Starting from our hotel in Bellagio, we will ride along the lake before turning away from Lago di Como and following the valley floor, and heading deep into the forested hills to find the legendary Muro di Sormano.

An apt name, the Wall of Sormano was reopened to cyclists in 2006 after falling into disrepair. It is less than 2 kilometres long and 280m in elevation with an average gradient of 17% and a maximum of 25% – this is the challenge of the day! Split times and quotes from the 1960s are stencilled onto the road to help you achieve this short and sweet, but epic climb. The time to beat is just over 7.5 minutes. Good luck!

We'll return to our hotel in Bellagio, for a well-earned aperitivo and dinner!

After breakfast and a quick pep talk, we start with a leisurely ferry transfer from Bellagio to Varenna and hit the scenic route along Lago di Como before reaching Lago di Mezzola. Time to say goodbye to the lakes and cycle to Chiavenna along the river valley. After Chiavenna, the valley narrows, and the ‘gentle’ climbing begins. We cross into Switzerland at the quaint mountain town of Castasegna at 696m, surrounded by mountains. Continuing up the valley, we reach the famous hairpins just before Passo del Maloja at 1815m. And did you know... Passo del Maloja is the watershed between the Danube River and the Po River in Italy.

Time to throw on the hotpacks and spin gently past the lakes and Silvaplana to the famous and fashionable Saint Moritz 1800m and the sanctuary of our hotel.

Leaving Saint Moritz, we follow the valley that holds the famous Engadine Worldloppet nordic ski marathon, until S-chanf. Continuing through Zernez we’ll enter Switzerland’s only national park, the Parc Naziunal Svizzer, founded in 1914, and the oldest national park in the Alps.

Much of the ride through the park will be around 1800m elevation until just before the Pass dal Fuorn (Romansh) or Ofenpass (German) situated at 2149m. The first brown bear since 1923, was also sighted here in July 2005…so watch out!

We will descend in to the Val Müstair. At the ancient town of Müstair we ride past the UNESCO World Heritage Monastery St Johann, established in 775 AD. Less than 10 kilometres later we are back in Italy, the valley opens up and we reach the beautiful fortified Glurns and our hotel.

A mountain day today…specifically Passo Stelvio at 2757m! There are three routes up to the legendary Passo Stelvio and this one is from the South Tyrolean side - only 53 kilometres but with a gratifying 1900m climb.

There will probably be snowbanks and chilling winds, so dress appropriately for the endless ascent, either way the GTP van will be close by with extra layers and ride snacks! Remember to eat and drink regularly on this climb.

Once at Passo Stelvio, we’ll stop for a legendary apple strudel! Before throwing on our cycle layers to stay warm, make good use of the photo opportunities, and enjoy the long long 14 kilometre descent into Bormio and to our hotel. Enjoy the descent!

After 4 days in the saddle, and the Santini Granfondo Stevio tomorrow, today is a day for relaxing, exploring, easy riding and making full use of the QC Terme. You deserve it!

There are two options, 33 kilometres and a 916m ascent or 15 or so kilometres and only 250m ascent. Both rides will finish at the QC Terme where you can have a pre-booked luxury treatment or just loll around in the mineral waters.

Today is also the day we pick up your number and goodie bag and possibly take the opportunity to do some last-minute Italian shopping and cafe stops.

Back at the hotel we will help you get your bikes ready, what layers to take, recheck the weather forecasts, discuss the options with everyone! A delicious carb loading dinner will be served and then sleep!

After an early breakfast, we will ride to the start to access our designated race grids. At 7am the medium and long courses start, followed by the short course at 7:40am.

3,500 riders will be participating, the atmosphere will be buzzing and this being Italy, it will be fun, friendly and thoroughly spectacular. Remember you have ridden here from Bellagio, so you are ready for this day! Remember to eat and drink during the event.

Have fun, be careful and enjoy and we will see you at the finish to celebrate!

It's departure day and after breakfast, we will bid farewell to new friends before transferring you to Milano Malpensa Airport.

You have completed 2 climbs on the second highest paved mountain pass in Europe – Passo Stelvio, and participated in a European granfondo, not forgetting the European passes earlier in the week. Make sure to boast of your achievements to family and friends – you are allowed to because you deserve it!

Until the next tour, safe journey home.