Not a professional but still cycling the Giro: Giro delle Dolomiti

How often do you cycle in a peloton of more than 600 cyclists with closed roads? Under (police) escort and with mechanics, a broom truck and an ambulance at your disposal in case of emergency? And not through the flat Dutch polder, but through the amazing Italian Dolomites... It is possible... in the Giro delle Dolomiti! On behalf of CYCLOsportive we travel to picturesque Bolzano to experience it ourselves.

Text: Marcia van Gulik & Leendert Verweij
Image: Photostudio3

6 stages, 650 kilometers, 10,000 elevation meters: Giro delle Dolomiti

In this Giro, which is for the 43^e organized once, approximately 650 kilometers and 10,000 meters of altitude are conquered in 6 stages. Not an easy task. After arriving in Bolzano, we meet the other participants at the organization briefing. What strikes us is that many countries are represented: from India to Colombia and from Norway to Australia. There is a healthy tension in the air before the kick-off of the Giro. We are curious about what this week will bring us.

Getting used to the peloton

The first 3 stages are 52, 133 and 178 kilometers respectively on the program. The short opening stage is all about getting acquainted with riding in a large peloton with all the guidance around it. We brave the first mountain of the outer category, called 'Ritten/Renon' (13km at 7%). We already feel like professionals among so many cyclists with expensive racing bikes, encouragement from the side of the road and motorcycles and photographers everywhere around us! This leaves you wanting more and luckily there is much more on the program in the coming days. After all, the real work has yet to begin...

'The evening before each stage we pin on our bib numbers and prepare all the gear so that we don't have to rush as much as possible in the morning. After all, the alarm goes off at 6:15 am, because the stages start promptly at 8:00 am. All stages are held as one large peloton.'

Famous mountains from the Giro d'Italia

In addition to more kilometers, stages 2 and 3 both also contain a number of long climbs: the Passo delle Erbe (23.6km at 5%), the Passo Sella Joch (34km at 5%) and the Passo Fedaia (7.4km at 7%). All these climbs are known from the Giro d'Italia. They take us up or over the magical limit of 2000 meters altitude, which provides a phenomenal view as a reward for the effort along the way. A long descent follows like a perfectly executed dance with the bike over beautiful asphalt and through many hairpin bends. A powerful feeling!

Suffering on day 3!

Especially the 3^e day was tough! In addition to being the longest day, it was also the hottest day. The thermometer shows 37 degrees! For Marcia, this is her second longest ride ever... And with so many elevation meters and that scorching heat. Will she make it to the top of the mighty Dolomite giants? The motto is to hydrate a lot and choose your own pace. In addition to the well-maintained, permanent stops along the route, extra water is provided. For those for whom it is really too much, the broom wagon is a last refuge. Fortunately, this is not necessary for us. Sweaty and with sore legs, but with an enormously proud feeling, we reach the finish under our own power. This was the ride we were dreading the most beforehand. Afterwards we thought this was the most beautiful ride.

'The impressive Passo Sella Joch should be on every cyclist's wish list!'

The climb takes you to a great height with great views of the most famous mountain massif in the Dolomites. In the distance, eternal snow is visible on the surrounding mountain peaks.

Rest day: wash, massage, enjoy

Time for the rest day. That means: extensive breakfast, legs up and cycling clothes to the launderette. We then cycle to the Fiera Messa for a massage to breathe some life back into the tired muscles and enjoy the experiences of the first 3 days. And of course looking forward to the 3 days to come with the Passo Valparola (13.9km at 6%), the Passo 3 Croci (7.9km at 7%) and the Seiser Alm (16.8km at 8%) on the program.

Performing and enjoying, both are possible

Every day a climb is completely closed off from traffic and a ranking is drawn up using time measurements. Now is the time to go full throttle! The level in the peloton is quite high. Leendert experiences the mutual competition with riders of a similar level as an incentive to be able to give that few percent extra, to make an attack and squeeze out a final sprint. Marcia notices that she is looking for a group of an equal level that encourages and mentally supports each other to reach the top together. No matter how you approach this segment, everyone ends up panting, puffing, sweating and gasping for breath. Fortunately, there is some time to recover, fill the water bottles and eat something. With a phenomenal view we wait until all riders have reported at the top, after which the descent can begin. The Giro ends with an awards ceremony for the best riders (15% of the participants are women) in the general classification.

'It was a week of suffering, but above all a lot of enjoyment!'

The week has flown by. After a week that was completely dedicated to cycling, we return home tired but satisfied with great impressions, many climbing kilometers in our legs and great memories to look back on. It was a week of suffering, but above all a lot of enjoyment!YouTube Giro delle Dolomiti: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5kFUwK15n58O8Ey7gYYeIQ