“You’re not just riding the Giro — you’re guided by people who lived it.”
From the Peloton to the Road
Daniele Ratto is a former professional road cyclist from Italy who competed at the highest level of the sport between 2008 and 2016, riding for teams including Liquigas–Cannondale, Cannondale Pro Cycling (WorldTour), and UnitedHealthcare.
Key highlights:
🥇 Stage winner — Vuelta a España (2013)
🥈 2nd place — Stage, Volta a Catalunya (2013)
🥈 2nd place — Stage, Vuelta a Burgos (2013)
🥉 3rd overall — Vuelta a la Comunidad de Madrid (2016)
🥇 Winner — GP Industria & Artigianato (2010)
🥇 Winner — Il Piccolo Lombardia (2008)
During his career, Daniele competed in Grand Tours, including the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España, gaining deep insight into the rhythm, demands, and strategy of elite stage racing.
A rider with strong abilities in hilly terrain and breakaways, he built his career on resilience, race intelligence, and adaptability across varied profiles.
Today, Daniele brings this experience into his role as Tour Manager and Trip Leader, where he not only guides guests on the road but also plays a key role in designing the tours — shaping routes, selecting climbs, and crafting experiences that reflect the true spirit of professional cycling.
What It Means for Guests to Be Inside the Race
With Daniele, this becomes clear within the first minutes on the road. Calm, attentive, and deeply connected to the rhythm of the race, he brings something that cannot be learned from a manual — the feeling of the Giro from the inside.
For him, the message to riders is simple: “Enjoy your ride. There’s nothing to prove. No expectations about speed. Just ride, love it, and enjoy it.”
It’s a mindset that defines the experience. The Giro is demanding enough — the role of the GTP team is not to add pressure, but to help guests find their own rhythm within it.
Riding the Giro is not only about the physical effort — it’s about proximity to the race itself.
For Daniele, one of the most powerful differences between being a spectator and being on the bike is the connection with the crowd.“When you are riding, the people are part of the road. They are close, in the center, cheering you on. You feel their energy directly. If you are not on the bike, you miss this.”
That energy builds throughout the day — and then shifts: “You hear the motorbikes, the helicopters, the race cars. You understand something big is coming. There is tension. You are there, in the middle of the road, waiting.”
It’s a moment that guests remember long after the ride ends. A moment of complete immersion.
And then there is the unique privilege of riding the route before the professionals.
“You feel, even if just for a few minutes, what the riders feel. The road is closed, the crowd is there, people are shouting ‘come on, come on!’ It’s like becoming a pro for a moment.”
It’s not an imitation of the race — it’s a glimpse into it.
Beyond the Ride
One of his strongest memories is not from a climb, but from a dinner.
“Last year in Cervinia, we had a dinner with local food and local people. I’m Italian, and I always try to find something real, not a tourist place. At that restaurant, I spoke with the owner and the chef, and they personally welcomed our guests. The guests were surprised — they said ‘wow’. That’s something I remember, and I’m proud of it.”
For Daniele, the experience is built through these moments — the ones that are not planned as highlights, but become them.
Understanding the Mountain
Daniele’s experience shows most clearly on the climbs. He doesn’t just guide riders up the mountain — he reads how they approach it.
“One of the biggest mistakes is starting too fast,” he explains. “At the beginning, you feel good. You want to challenge yourself. But when the altitude changes — from 1200 meters to 2000 — your body reacts differently. You burn more energy. After 40 minutes, the engine can switch off.”
It’s something he sees often, especially on steep and iconic climbs like Passo Giau.
His advice is precise, and grounded in experience:
“Stay steady. Keep your rhythm. Don’t go too hard. Just continue, and avoid the crisis before it starts.”
In the mountains, patience is strength.
A Different Relationship with Cycling
After years in the sport, Daniele’s relationship with cycling has evolved.
“I still ride, but differently now. Before, it was always about performance. Now I ride with my son, with my family. It’s not only cycling anymore.”
That shift brings a different kind of balance — one that reflects in how he guides. “To ride at the maximum level, you need everything — focus, training, discipline. But at some point, you want something more open. More life around it.”
Quick questions — one word answers
Favorite climb?
Daniele: I was a sprinter…
Favorite place to ride?
Daniele: Cancano.
Coffee or recovery drink?
Daniele: Coffee.
Early breakaway or steady pace?
Daniele: Steady pace.
One word to describe the Giro?
Daniele: Passion.
With the Giro season approaching, we have the last places remaining on a few selected tours. If you would like to experience the race from the inside — riding the roads, feeling the atmosphere, and being guided by a team who truly knows it — this is the moment to join us.