Unremitting pain. Everlasting pleasure
The biggest names in cycling have raced on our mountain roads. Now it’s your turn…
Francesco Moser, Maurizio Fondriest, Gilberto Simoni ,Bradley Wiggins: they’ve all known the pain and the glory of Trentino’s legendary climbs. Our roads are regular fixtures on the Giro d’Italia, and are the setting for many other A-list races.
It’s not hard to see why. Few mountain regions can match our mix of long, steady ascents and staggering, UNESCO-protected mountain scenery.
Take the Salita Passo-Pordoi, for example. It rises through 800m from Canazei, and serves up views of both the Sella massif and the Sassolungo – two of the most famous of all the Dolomite peaks. Or how about the Salita Trento-Monte Bondone? This monstrous 1450m ascent is the scene of a race each summer which honours Luxembourg cyclist Charly Gaul. In 1956 he rode to the top of this iconic peak to win the Giro d’Italia, nearly freezing to death in the process. Now, every July, The Legendary Charly Gaul attracts 3,000 competitors aiming to emulate his epic feat.
So if you’re looking for a proper challenge – something with which to mark your own development as a cyclist - turn your wheels towards Trentino. Here are some of the biggest climbs to target.
