FULL ITINERARY
DAY ONE SUN 20 AUG | WELCOME
Morning transfer from Milan to Susa. Settle into your hotel, unpack bikes/hire bike setup and light Welcome lunch and Tour Briefing before an afternoon ride. We'll do a loop ride to Moncenisio, Lac du Mont Cenis. Adventure ride up narrow winding road to Moncenisio, and upwards to the lake at the summit. A great ride that’s not too long to shake out the cobwebs after travelling.
50-70KM | 1800M ELEVATION
DAY TWO MON 21 AUG | LOOP TO COLLE DELLE FINESTRE
No holding back! Big ride today following a favourite route of the Giro d'Italia. Up over the Colle delle Finestre with its section of compact, unsealed road and down the other side. Then up to the famous ski resort atop Colle del Sestriere, Fantastic long descent back to the hotel. Plus the option to include the out and back climb to the 2018 Giro stage finish at Jafferau.
95KM | 2400M ELEVATION
130KM | 3400M ELEVATION
DAY THREE TUE 22 AUG | SUSA TO STRESA
Morning transfer to Stresa, on Lago Maggiore. After two days of mountains in Piedmont, an easy spin along the lake or if the legs are up for it, a short but challenging out and back to Mottarone. We'll leave enough time to relax in the afternoon, with the chance to visit Isola Bella, or one of the other beautiful options in Stresa.
50KM | 500M OR 1200M ELEVATION
DAY FOUR WED 23 AUG | STRESA TO VARESE
Today the ferry does some of the work, as we cross glorious Lago Maggiore to Laveno. Great ride from there, with a stop at the amazing convent Santa Caterina del Sasso clinging to the cliffs over the lake. Then up through Arcumeggia and beautiful Brinzio forest to Varese, with option to climb to Sacro Monte.
60KM | 1450M ELEVATION
70KM | 1700M ELEVATION
DAY FIVE THU 24 AUG | VARESE TO BELLAGIO
A fantastic ride today heading out of Varese, up the leafy Alpe Tedesco and down a technical descent to tranquil Lake Lugano. We then climb over Monte Generoso and before a brilliant downhill to the famous and unbelievably beautiful Lago di Como. The best way to arrive - we ferry to Bellagio and our wonderful hotel overlooking the lake shore.
75KM | 1500M ELEVATION
DAY SIX FRI 25 AUG | LOOP TO GHISALLO
A ride over hallowed ground to Madonna del Ghisallo, Colma di Sormano and the close to vertical Muro di Sormano! This is a fantastic ride that we can make short or long, lots of climbing, or not so much. There should be time to visit the lovely, tiny chapel of the patron saint of cyclists and check out the cycling museum.
55KM | 1350M ELEVATION
105KM | 2000M ELEVATION
DAY SEVEN SAT 26 AUG | BELLAGIO TO BORMIO
We leave the sparkling lakes behind with a morning transfer to Sondrio. We ride from Sondrio to Bormio. This is a brilliant way to arrive in Bormio, riding up the Valtellina with gradual elevation gain. Spin the legs and admire the views of the vineyards and apple orchards on the steep valley slopes, as the Alps rise to dominate the horizon ahead of you. Simply magnificent!
75KM | 1700M ELEVATION
DAY EIGHT SUN 27 AUG | STELVIO!
Today's ride is one of those special day's on the bike. Goosebump material! A truly magnificent loop, with the challenge of riding all three sides of the Stelvio. Pace yourself up the 'easier' side from Bormio, and then relish the descent down the Umbrail Pass into Switzerland. A scenic valley downhill rush, before we commence the deceptively, gentle start to this long ascent beside a bubbling stream and alpine pastures. It then gets serious as you count down the legendary 48 hairpins to the ski station at the top. After lots of photos, descend into Bormio and enjoy a well-earned soak in the thermal baths of this spa town.
102KM | 3200M ELEVATION
DAY NINE MON 28 AUG | LIVIGNO
A recovery day between two big rides. We can ride out and back to Livigno, or just ride TO Livigno for a real spot of R&R. Enjoy a relaxing lunch in Livigno, stroll through town and maybe do some duty free shopping. Van transfer back to Bormio if desired.
75KM | 2000M ELEVATION
37KM | 1000M ELEVATION
DAY TEN TUE 29 AUG | LOOP TO MORTIROLO AND GAVIA!
The Queen Stage of your Tour! An epic day in the saddle. We ride down the valley towards Sondrio but turn left and onto Passo Mortirolo. Over the summit and down to Monno, and continuing down the valley to Ponte di Legno before the final challenge up Passo di Gavia and some of the most breath-taking valley views ever. The descent after the technical start back down into Bormio is one of the best! Channel Pantani!
110KM | 3100M ELEVATION
DAY ELEVEN WED 30 AUG | TORRI DI FRAELE
We know you're not ready to leave quite yet. After yesterday's effort we have a great ride that will help turn the legs over and offer the reward of panoramic views. With ancient towers at the summit the short climb to Torri di Fraele is impressive and you can roll on a little way further on the unsealed road to Lago di Cancano for a look see. If you're really hankering after some more metres before leaving the Alps behind, Bormio 2000 is waiting!
30KM | 900M ELEVATION
20KM | 700M ELEVATION
DAY TWELVE THU 31 AUG | GOODBYE
Morning group transfer to Malpensa.
Time to say farewell, until next time. Ride safe Punto's!