Our legs might be tired after yesterday’s long day, but the route profile today is seriously tough! We set off on quiet roads through the valley towards Mazzo di Valtellina, at the base of the Mortirolo. The Passo di Mortirolo (1852m) is a relatively short climb, and first featured in the Giro only in 1990, but its steep gradients have given it a fearsome reputation. On the ascent we pass the monument to much-loved Italian cyclist Marco Pantani. Our descent to the Val Camonica gives us some respite, but it’s not long before we start climbing again, as we hit the southern slopes of the Passo di Gavia (2621m).
Unlike the Mortirolo, the Gavia has been a regular feature of the Giro since 1960, when it was little more than a dirt road. Cycling history has been made on these slopes, and however tough you find it, take inspiration from following in the pedalstrokes of the elite! This side is the toughest, with gradients kicking up to 16%, and from the first hairpin bend it’s a relentless climb.
Within a few miles we are in wild mountain scenery, surrounded by panoramas of boulder-strewn pastures, tumbling streams, serene mountain lakes and jagged peaks, often still streaked with snow. After a well-earned breather at the pass, we enjoy a long, more steady descent to the small town of Bormio. Night hotel. (Lunch not included)
Cycle approx 91km (56 miles)
Route Profile