Italian Sportives - GRAN FONDO DATES

[huw williams]

There are so many rides in Italy that it would be impossible to cover them all. Below though is a list of the major events that we know are good and can reccommend. French, Spannish & Belgian dates to follow.

12 Feb
Gran Fondo Laigueglia 110km
http://www.laigueglia-bike.it
Early-season event held two days before the Laigueglia Trophy over similar terrain inland from the Italian Riviera. Goes over the Capo Mele.

1 May
Gran Fondo Dieci Colli 160km
http://www.diecicolli.it
Based in Bologna, does what it says on the tin, going over 10 climbs, each of which is at 10 percent or steeper. Tough for the time of year.

7 May
Gran Fondo Felice Gimondi 164km
http://www.felicegimondi.it
UCI Golden Bike event based in Bergamo, attended by Gimondi and invited stars. Superb organisation, challenging percorso and a beautiful new jersey every year.

21 May
Gran Fondo Novecolli Marco Pantani 200km
http://www.novecolli.it
First held in 1971 as the ?1st Audax cicloturistico de Gran Fondo Sociale?, the Nove Colli, or Nine Climbs, is one of the oldest and most prestigious events in the calendar. Starts and finishes in Marco Pantani?s home town of Cesenatico.




4 June
Gran Fondo Vittorio Adorni (ex Gran Fondo Barilla) 151km
http://www.vittorioadorni.com
Typical mid-range event, with 2660m of climbing packed into 151km in the A south of Parma. Another long-established Gran Fondo.

11 June
Gran Fondo Milano Sanremo 295km
http://www.ucsanremo.it
The big one. 35 years old. Follows same route as professional classic including Turchino Pass, the coastal Capi, the Cipressa and the Poggio. Finishes in San Remo albeit not on Via Roma. Needs serious preparation.

18 June
Gran Fondo Campagnolo 209km
http://www.granfondocampagnolo.it
Perennial favourite, with four massive climbs totalling 4300m and stunning scenery. Passo Manghen should not be underestimated. Expect to be in the saddle at least 9 hours.

25 June
Gran Fondo Marco Pantani 174km
http://www.gsalpi.it
Candidate for title of hardest Gran Fondo. Goes over Gavia at 2650m and wickedly steep Mortirolo.

25 June
Cronoscalata Arabba Passo Pordoi
http://www.amatour.it
Timed race up the Passo Pordoi starting in groups of 10. 9.5km climb to altitude of 2239m. Short and sharp; might suit hill-climb specialist.

2 July
Maratona delle Dolomiti 138km
http://www.maratona.it
Biggest Italian cycle marathon; long route probably toughest anywhere, with 4190m of climbing. That?s 1000m more than the Fred Whitton in 42km less riding?


2 July
Gran Fondo La Fausto Coppi 200km
http://www.faustocoppi.net
Fauniera not hard enough? The 2006 edition will go over an even harder alternative before tackling the Sampeyre. Fabled event with reputation for massive suffering.

16 July
Gran Fondo Pinarello 160km
http://www.granfondopinarello.com
Highly-competitive event based in Treviso, home to many of the biggest names in the Italian cycle industry. Flattish percorso makes for high speeds.

from30 July
Giro delle Dolomiti 644km
http://www.girodolomiti.com
Six-stage Gran Fondo based in Bolzano. Each stage includes a timed ascent including the 2755m Stelvio on stage 3; there are 30 hairpins above 2000m and the 1825m climb includes sections of 13percent. Make a week of it.

3 Sept
Gran Fondo Colnago 165km
http://www.granfondocolnago.com
2006 will be second edition. Based in Piacenza, goes into the beautiful Piacentine hills to the south. Prizes presented by Ernesto himself. 2700m of climbing.

10 Sept
Gran Fondo delle Cinque Terre 172.5km
http://www.granfondo5terre.com
Goes inland from La Spezia on the Levantine Riviera. Suprisingly lumpy percorso with lots of sharp, steep climbs adding up to 3233m of salita. Could be ideal close to the season.

[David Lombari]

This is a good website to get the skinny on all the climbs.
http://www.salite.ch/struttura/default.asp?Ultime=10