FULL ITINERARY
DAY ONE SAT 25 MAY | WELCOME
The Giro Glory show begins! Mid-morning group transfer from Milan Malpensa airport to beautiful Bellagio. Bike set-up on arrival, followed by a light lunch, and Tour Briefing. We'll head out for a ride in the afternoon to check the bikes and stretch those legs after travelling. A scenic loop of Lake Como with a ferry ride thrown in will be perfect!
DISTANCE | 64KM | 39MI
ELEVATION | 900M | 2950FT
DAY TWO SUN 26 MAY | LOOP TO GHISALLO
STAGE 15 | IVREA - COMO 237KM "A tough stage with 4 climbs, which may suit the Classics specialists in the peloton."
This is the longest Giro stage for the Pro riders, 237km! So how about we do half that, checking out the Ghisallo and Colma di Sormano before the Pro peloton hit the slopes. Great fun seeing these guys tackle the same climbs you've just done. Visit the chapel of the Madonna del Ghisallo, the patron saint of cyclists.
DISTANCE | 105KM | 65MI
ELEVATION | 2700M | 8850FT
DAY THREE MON 27 MAY | BELLAGIO TO BORMIO
GIRO REST DAY
While the Pro's sleep in and have a rest day, we'll be on the road. After transferring to Sondrio, a drive of 1.5 hours, we wind our way up the Valtellina to Bormio. This is a great ride with gradual elevation gain with views of the vineyards and apple orchards on the valley slopes, as the Alps rise ahead of you to dominate the skyline.
DISTANCE | 72KM | 44MI
ELEVATION | 1500M | 4900FT
DAY FOUR TUE 28 MAY | BORMIO LOOP
STAGE 16 | LOVERE - PONTE DI LEGNO 226KM "5700M elevation gain for the riders legs today, a demanding, leg-sapping stage that should widen the gap even among the GC contenders."
Fantastic day in the saddle, as we ride the pointy end of today's Queen Stage of the Giro. The route includes the legendary Passo Mortirolo and Gavia. Nowhere to hide. We'll watch the strong men muscle it over the Gavia before rolling down the brilliant descent into Bormio and a soak in the thermal baths!
DISTANCE | 110KM | 68MI
ELEVATION | 2750M | 9000FT
DAY FIVE WED 29 MAY | BORMIO TO TREVISO
STAGE 17 | COMMEZZADURA - ANTERSELVA 180KM A lump stage for the riders today with the main climb of Passo della Mendola. Not easy after all the metres the day before.
There's always a long transfer somewhere in the Giro, so today we transfer to Treviso. We'll settle into our gorgeous hotel, home for the next two days, before unwinding with a ride in the hilltop cycling park, Il Montello. We'll watch the Stage finish on TV with a few prosecco at hand.
DISTANCE | 78KM | 48MI
ELEVATION | 750M | 2450FT
DAY SIX THU 30 MAY | TREVISO TO S. MARIA DI SALA
STAGE 18 | VALDAORA - SANTA MARIA DI SALA 220KM A welcome respite for the climbers as the route heads downhill, with the sprinters fighting for points in almost the last fast finish.
The Giro has a downhill run from Brunico today. Our route rides into the hills of Asolo and the picturesque town of Bassano del Grappa. From there an easy downhill run for us through amazing Cittadella, before we arrive in Santa Maria di Sala to watch the big men hit warp speed for the sprint finish of the Stage.
DISTANCE | 105KM | 65MI
ELEVATION | 550M | 1800FT
DAY SEVEN FRI 31 MAY | TREVISO TO FOLLINA
STAGE 19 | TREVISO - SAN MARTINO DI CASTROZZA 151KM A short stage with short, sharp climbs up Montello and Passo San Boldo, before the final long ascent for a summit finish.
You can sleep in this morning! We'll be up in time to ride over and enjoy the action and buzz at the start of a Stage. Once the Pro's are signed in and on their way, we'll follow in their tracks along the Giro course towards Feltre.
DISTANCE | 105KM | 65MI
ELEVATION | 1800M | 5900FT
DAY EIGHT SAT 1 JUN | FOLLINA TO CROCE D'AUNE
STAGE 20 | FELTRE - CROCE D'AUNE 193KM The final stage in the Dolomites with over 5,000M of elevation gain, covers the historical route of the Gran Fondo Sportful. 4 tough climbs with the last summit punishing the riders with sections pushing 15% before the finish.
Penultimate Stage of the Giro. Will the winner now be a foregone conclusion or will today's passes decide the victor? We'll be there for all the excitement of the final. crucial mountain top finish at Croce D'Aune!
DISTANCE | 85KM | 53MI
ELEVATION | 1700M | 5550FT
DAY NINE SUN 2 JUN | FINALE!
STAGE 21 | VERONA 15.6KM "The closing time trial on the Torricelle circuit." This is going to be epic, especially if it comes down to a nail-biting close finish between some riders.
Morning transfer to Verona for the finale of the 2019 Giro d'Italia. The race finishes at the famous Arena and we'll be right there. Celebration dinner to cap an awesome week of racing and riding! Bravissimi!
DAY TEN MON 3 JUN | GOODBYE
Morning group transfer to Milan Malpensa airport.
Time to say farewell, until next time!