Rode along - Maratona dles Dolomites
The view of the magnificent Dolomite panorama with the ride over completely closed roads, the choice of three route lengths and the almost perfect organisation have been attracting thousands of cyclists to the Alta Badia Valley at the beginning of July for years. According to the organisers, there were 8,000 participants at the 36th edition - the record of around 9,500 participants from before the pandemic was significantly higher. However, this is no longer desirable, according to the event organisers in Corvara, as they have heard from participants that the ride is much more relaxed with fewer participants.
8,000 starters is the new upper limit - despite 27,000 applications for a starting place this year. And indeed: shortly after the start in La Villa, in fresh temperatures after a rainy day the day before, there is significantly less crowding on the first climb, the Campolongo Pass. Afterwards, in dream weather with mild temperatures, there is time for a view of the mighty Sella massif in the morning sun or the mighty thighs of Filippo Pozzato, who now has a much different figure than during his great victories as a professional cyclist.
Because it remains so beautiful, the TOUR route tester skips all the shortcuts on his eighth participation despite the effort and, despite disappointing split times, plods over the long distance (136.5 kilometres and around 4000 metres in altitude according to TOUR measurements) including the most difficult section, the Passo Giau, which is 9.3 per cent steep on average. The event will remain a reference in the scene in 2023 thanks to its panorama, route safety and organisation.
The Maratona dles Dolomites
>> Route - 3 out of 3 stars
>> Organisation - 3 out of 3 stars
>> Catering - 3 out of 3 stars
- Entry fee: 150 Euro
- Range of routes (Organiser details): 55, 106, 138 kilometres
- Info: www.maratona.it
>> next date: 7 July 2024
Andreas Kublik
Editor
