Location
Italy Dolomites
Duration
8 days | 7 nights
Length
From 30 to 98 km daily
Climb
From 280 up to 2680 m daily
23 May 2022 - 30 May 2022
We will start our trip in the world famous and stunning Bellagio, famous for its beautiful villas overlooking the lake. We will start our discovery of the iconic climbs of the region such as Mortirolo and Aprica on Stage 16, followed by the Stelvio the next day! We have a few more days in the Dolomites to discover the many magnificent passes of the region, as well as riding some of the race route and crossing the finish line on Stage 20 in Passo Fedaia! And before concluding this tour, we ride the Individual Time Trial course and then access the VIP Lounge at the spectacular finish line in the Verona Arena. And where we will cheer and applaud the winner of the Giro d'Italia 2022!
The last week of the Giro d'Italia and the race should be nail biting exciting. The Dolomiti mountains will decide the winners and it's the perfect time for you to experience the frenzied and passionate atmosphere of this spectacular cycle race. Ride on parts of the race route, experience the thrill of crossing the official Arrivo and standing on the winner's podium, and join the fanatical pink flavoured fans cheering on their favourite racers and teams. AND also tick off iconic Italian passes on your bucket list.
This week is full on action that culminates in a huge celebration in beautiful Verona. Join us on the last week of the Giro 2022 and the first Grand Tour in Europe. It's going to be huge!
Total price: From €4,690
Benvenuto to Italia!
30km
We'll greet you at Milan or Bergamo airport and transport you to our superb hotel in Bellagio. Our team will help you to set up your bike and make final preparations before tomorrow's epic ride. There will be two welcome ride options: The Madonna del Ghisallo Loop, with 'Madonna del Ghisallo Climb' and the optional ride up to Muro di Sormano. 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 and cycling artefacts. After discussing the week's programme, the team will enjoy a relaxed stroll in the Bellagio centre and then a hearty dinner in an excellent restaurant specialising in local dishes.
Stage 16 - Sondrio, Aprica & Mortirolo Experience!
74km | 1,990m or 98km | 2,840m
An early transfer will take us to Sondrio where our first climb of the day will be the final one for the pros, the Aprica! The second ascent will be the legendary Mortirolo. First featured in the 1990 Giro d'Italia, this climb is a classic due to Pantani's unforgettable ride in 1994. His ascent time of 42m 40s, a standing record, and it's only fitting that on Turn 11 you will find a tribute to the pirate himself! The Mortirolo is renowned for endless hairpin bends and narrow road that endlessly winds to the summit. Once back in the valley, those who want, can ride on all the way to the finish line in Aprica! We will watch the finish in Aprica and then transfer you to our hotel in Bormio.
Bormio - Stelvio - Merano
74km | 1,990m
Today is definitely a spectacular one. We will say goodbye to Bormio and start the long and amazing ascent to Stelvio Pass! If the weather is good with us, we will have an amazing ride up between walls of snow! With warm clothes, we will descend carefully and enjoy the panoramic views!
At Prato allo Stelvio, we will warm up in a cafeteria with a good cappuccino or café lungo. The rest of the ride will be on a “pista ciclabile” , a designated bike path with great tarmac all the way to Merano. In Merano, we will transfer to our next hotel near Borgo Valsugana. There is a back up plan if incredibly, the majestic Stelvio is blocked due to bad weather.
Borgo Valsugana - Feltre via Croce d´Aune
74km | 1,550m
Today, after a good breakfast, we will take you to the start line of Stage 18 and then head out of town and turn left for our first climb up to Castello Tesino, followed by a gentle descent to Lamon. A quick refreshment break and back on the bikes for our ascent of the stunning and famous Croce d'Aune. And the cherry on top is the equally delightful descent to Feltre. Definitely a bucket list ascent and descent! In Feltre, we'll have lunch and join the spectators and fans cheer on the pros and their teams as they pass by.
We'll transfer to our hotel in Alta Badia where you can relax and enjoy an aperol spritz.
The Classic Sella Ronda Loop
72km | 1,780m
Today, we climb 4 prestigious passes: Passo Campolongo (1,875m), Passo Pordoi (2,239m), Passo Sella (2,244m) and Passo Gardena (2,136m). One of our favourite loops ever! On Passo Pordoi, we will stop for our first refreshment, and definitely, you should try the "Torta Della Nona". Before descending, we will visit the memorial to Fausto Coppi, the legendary Italian champion who won some of his most prestigious victories in the Dolomites. For lunch, we will stop at a very special place, a mountain Refugio near Passo Sella. Passo Gardena will be the last climb before arriving back at our hotel to relax and enjoy the evening.
Stage 20 - Passo Valparola and Passo Fedaia
56km | 1,910m or 75km | 2,680m
On our last day in the mountains, we will climb from Badia to Passo Valparola (2,192m) and then fly all the way down to Rocca Pietore before turning right and climbing to Passo Fedaia (2,057m). A longer option ride is available. And to conclude our amazing journey, we will cross the finish line and jump to the podium for great photos! The VIP Zone is waiting for you right at the finish line, where we can enjoy canapés and prosecco while waiting for the pros and watching the race on the big screens!
Stage 21 - ITT Experience!
17,1km | 280m
You can wake up after sunrise today, but not too long. There is an Individual Time Trial and in order to complete the Ride Every Kilometre, you need to ride the route before it is closed to the public. After the last few days, 17km and 280m is a breeze, right?
After our ITT experience, we'll return to the hotel, which is centrally located from the start/finish lines, and we'll freshen up. We will then do a little sightseeing of beautiful Verona and enjoy a relaxed celebratory lunch, before joining the luxury VIP Lounge to watch the Individual Time Trial amongst the passionate fans cheering on their favourite riders. At the race conclusion, we'll join in the Giro award celebrations, and then have our final team dinner in a great restaurant in Verona.
You can stay up late tonight and enjoy our farewell dinner.
Arrivederci
Giro d'Italia 2022 is completed.
After a sleep in and breakfast, we'll help you pack up, check out and then take you to the airport for your onward journey - back home or further travel adventures.
We hope that this final week of the magnificent Giro d'Italia met or exceeded your expectations. It is something to experience once in a life time...even more than once! Can we tempt you to join us again next year?
Arrivederci and until next time, stay safe and have fun on the roads.