In his past life, Alain worked for the UCI and traveled to all the pro races around the world. "The Giro is my favorite. Literally every part of Italy is a cycling paradise and the race is extremely fan-friendly. And the food... enough said". Alain is spending countless hours preparing this trip with his local team to create the best possible experience on and off the road. Expect 'wow' moments any time...
The Giro Experience: Sardinia and Sicily
-
Location
Sardinia and Sicily
-
Duration
8 Days | 7 Nights
-
Length
420-900 KM
-
Climb
5,100-11,500m
4 May 2017 - 11 May 2017
Ride in Sardinia and Sicily while watching the Giro stars fight for the pink jersey
When we learnt that the 100th edition of the Giro would start in Sardinia and Sicily, we did not have to think any longer: this is where we wanted to take fellow passionate cyclists to ride, watch the race and enjoy la bella vita.
Ride on the stage route with our guide and support van; you are there just before the race, so the public is here to cheer you. « It’s like playing tennis on Wimbledon central court before the Grand Slam’s final » says our Chief Purpose Officer Keith who rode the Giro, the Tour and Vuelta ahead of the race in 2013.
The hardcore cyclists can ride the whole stage, leaving early morning. But there’s also an option to ride just the final - and best - part of the stage (80 to 100km). Either way you’ll get the full Giro Experience.
After you’ve arrived, enjoy a healthy buffet lunch prepared by our local guide and watch the riders fight for the pink jersey from the roadside with the fans.
In the evening, enjoy traditional cuisine and stay in a charming hotel. And because Alain has many friends in the race caravan from his 20 year career at the UCI, we might even meet and greet a Giro team and a few VIPs during the week!
That is going to be our program for 8 amazing days on and off the bike. Take a break and join us for the trip of a lifetime on the self-proclaimed world’s hardest race in the world’s most beautiful country. That’s your Grand Tours Project.
If you don't have enough time to join us on this tour, you can still ride ride and watch the Giro with us by joining the 5 day Giro Getaway.
Looking for a lifetime challenge? Check our Giro Ride Every Kilometer trip
Total price: From € 3,500
- 6 days of riding in Sardinia and Sicily on the Giro d'Italia race route, just before the pros
- Watch the Giro stars fight for the pink jersey
- Ride the full stage route or just the final 80-100km, with a local guide
- Cross the finish line and watch a stage from the Giro VIP area
- Meet and greet a Giro d'Italia team
- Enjoy local cuisine and stay in charming hotels
- Fully supported tour
-
Day 1 - 4 May
Welcome in Sardinia
The 100th edition of Giro d’Italia starts from one of the most beautiful towns of Sardinia, the stunning Alghero with its catalan heritage.
We meet at the hotel for a briefing about our tour and bike fitting. We can warm up and test bikes in the afternoon.
Stay at Hotel Corte Rosada in Alghero
-
Day 2 - 5 May
Stage 1: Alghero - Olbia
100km with 1,000m of climbing / 203km with 2,000m of climbing
The first stage starts with a 30 km flat road, out of Sassari things get more interesting, with a 10 km downhill out of Sennori.
Landscape changes completely, and the ride offers the up and downs along the coastal road from Castelsardo to Santa Teresa di Gallura, immersed in the massive granite boulders of the Gallura region. In Palau we cross the world famous Costa Smeralda, with its beautiful coves and secluded beaches, a paradise we admire from the top of San Pantaleo village. The Giro riders will have a fast finish in Olbia.
Stay at Hotel CalaCuncheddi in Olbia
-
Day 3 - 6 May
Stage 2: Olbia - Tortoli
90km with 1,300m of climbing / 208km with 3,000m of climbing
We leave the coast heading immediately to the mystical sardinian inland.
The ride climbs gently but constantly for about 60 km, crossing pastures and mediterranean oak forests. From the village of Orune we have a long downhill taking us to the beginning of our first proper climb of the day, arriving in Nuoro, the capital of inner Sardinia. Down again on the fertile valleys of Oliena, we soon reach one of the most beautiful roads of the whole Island, the spectacular 125, a natural balcony suspended on the slopes of Supramonte range. The pass is in Genna Silana, 1000mt above sea level, with an average 5% gradient climb. From here it’s mostly down, with just two minor climbs over the passes of Genna Croce and Genna Scalas, after this last one we have an exciting long downhill taking us to Baunei then Tortoli.
Stay at Hotel La Torre in Bari Sardo
-
Day 4 - 7 May
Stage 3: Tortoli - Cagliari
80km with 700m of climbing / 148km with 1250m of climbing
Today’s ride is mostly flat. The real fun starts from Villasimius to Cagliari along a rolling itinerary with an impressive succession of cliffs and beaches, granite hills and ancient Spanish towers. It is really hard to resist the temptation to take a dip in one of the many crystal clear water beaches: Porto Sa Ruxi, Solanas, Torre delle Stelle, Geremeas, Mari Pintau, Cala Regina then the long sandy beach of the Poetto, where we ride on a nice cycling path until Cagliari port.
We spend the night on the ferry to Palermo
-
Day 5 - 8 May
Time to relax
Today the Giro riders are enjoying a rest day. It the same for us at our hotel beautifully located by the sea in Cefalù: Hotel Kalura
-
Day 6 - 9 May
Stage 4: Cefalù - Etna
60km with 1,600m of climbing / 180km with 3,700m of climbing
This is a serious “alpine” stage, with 3500 meters of total ascent in just two climbs. And it’s the first summit finish of the Giro.
The beginning is quite flat, all along the northern coastline, then as soon as you leave the sea you get the first serious climb to Portella di Femmina Morta at about 1500 meters above sea level. After a long fast downhill across the spectacular Parco dei Nebrodi, the second climb takes you to the impressive Etna volcano, with some stretches of climbs up to 12% of gradient, ending at almost 1900 meters above sea level.
Stay at Hotel Casa La Carrubazza in San Gregorio di Catania
-
Day 7 - 10 May
Stage 5: Pedara - Messina
90km with 500m of climbing / 157km with 1,600m of climbing
It’s a stage that crosses many villages, with some passage on small roads.
The first part has some small climbs, nothing impossible but it is nice to get some views over Alcantara valley. We hit the coastline at the marvelous Taormina with its unparalleled sea views. This is quite an iconic place of Sicily. The last 50 kms are totally flat along the sea, a preparation for the final rush entering Messina.
Stay at Villa Morgana resort in Messina