Maratona dles Dolomites
- That's why it's worth it: Impressive backdrop of the Dolomites
- The moment of truth: The steep Passo Giau
- That is unique: Live broadcast on TV (RAI)
Many ingredients have given the Dolomites Marathon its cult status: the imposing rocky peaks of the Dolomites on both sides of the road, the perfect organisation, the creatively designed participants' jerseys and, last but not least, a route that is not too demanding with a manageable number of metres in altitude. Standing in the starting block with more than 9,000 like-minded people while the Italian television helicopter hovers over La Villa is unrivalled. It goes without saying that the road is full after the start at Passo Campolongo - those who don't start at the front are inevitably slowed down. Nevertheless, the route promises fun and a good atmosphere: at the Mür dl Giat (cat wall) in La Villa, spectators cheer on the participants up the 19 per cent steep ramp. The popularity of the marathon has its downsides: Many starting places are now sold in a package with overnight accommodation offers. The chances of getting a starting place from the draw are slim. This year, the places are already sold out.
Routes
- 138 km/4,230 metres altitude
- 106 km/3,130 metres in altitude
- 55 km/1,780 metres altitude
Date
3 July 2022
Entry fee
150 Euro
Info
Tips for following
If you haven't got a starting place, you should avoid days with heavy traffic, for example at weekends. Ideal in this respect: on 11 June and 17 September, no cars are allowed over the Dolomite passes on Sellaronda Bike Day - then the Sella Pass, Gardena Pass, Passo Pordoi and Passo Campolongo can be ridden stress-free.
stress-free. If you want to ride the long loop over the Passo Giau on your own, you should also expect heavy motorbike and car traffic on weekdays during the holiday months.
Marmotte Granfondo Alpes
- That's why it's worth it: Sporting challenge in a dream landscape
- The moment of truth: The 21 bends to Alpe d'Huez
- That is unique: Galibier and Col du Télégraphe with 2,000 metres of ascent
The Tour de France has written many stories on this route: From Marco Pantani's attack on the Galibier in 1998 to the joint finish of Bernard
The route of the Marmotte Granfondo is a total work of sporting art: the Col du Glandon equalises the field and is ideal for warming up, after a descent (without timekeeping) comes the long climb over the Col du Télégraphe to the 2,642 metre high Galibier with its magnificent views and, as the icing on the cake, the final climb to Alpe d'Huez. The field of participants is more mixed than in other cycling marathons: the riding times range from five and a half to thirteen hours - with many participants being taken out of the race at the foot of the final climb due to the time limit. With around 7,000 participants - including many from the Benelux countries - the cycling marathon is an international flagship event. Don't forget your lighting kit and medical certificate!
Route
174 km/4,800 metres altitude
Date
3 July
Entry fee
110 Euro
Info
Tips for following
In the summer months, Bourg d'Oisans attracts racing bike holidaymakers from all over the world who want to conquer the many steep climbs in the area. The long journey can therefore be ideally combined with other tours. If you want to cycle the route of the cycle marathon in one day, the village is an ideal starting point. If you run out of energy at the end of the day, you can skip the ascent to the ski station. If you want to take it easier, you can book the ride along the Marmotte route as a two-day organised event: The two-day "Rando" with overnight stay in Valloire starts one day before the race. Bring lights for the tunnels!
Ötztal Cycle Marathon
- That's why it's worth it: Top organisation, including closed roads
- The moment of truth: The ramps to the Timmelsjoch
- That is unique: Performance comparison with Europe's top cyclists
The Ötztaler is and remains the most important Alpine marathon in the German-speaking world - it has earned its reputation over the years. Excellent catering, a tough course and, above all, the closed roads promise a dream day on a racing bike. Or not: in 2021, the weather forecast was so bad that the starting blocks remained half empty. Insiders knew what it meant to have to fight against the weather on the difficult route. For example, you have often had to freeze in single-digit temperatures on the Kühtai, while later on the Jaufen in South Tyrol the summer heat dried out the body. The moment of truth comes at the Timmelsjoch - at the latest there you bitterly regret having followed a group that was too fast up to the Brenner Pass. But when you cross the finish arch in Sölden, accompanied by the applause of the spectators and greeted by the route announcer, all doubts and curses are forgotten. Of all the finisher jerseys, the Ötztaler's is probably the most coveted. The starting places for this year have long been taken - you can only put your name in the lottery pot again in February 2023.
Route
238 km/5,500 metres altitude
Date
28 August
Entry fee
159 Euro
Info
Tips for following
If you haven't got a starting place for the Ötztal Cycle Marathon and are tackling the route on your own, you can choose a different starting point. The disadvantage of the race route from Sölden is the long descent to Oetz, where you cool down in the early morning. A starting point that has been established for years is in Kematen in the Inn Valley. The advantages: You start with an ascent instead of a descent, you ride on the Brenner road with less traffic in the early morning - and if you don't have any energy left for the Kühtai at the end of the lap, you can ride straight on at Oetz and save metres in altitude in the Inntal valley.
Alpine brevet
- That's why it's worth it: Tough test - often also due to the weather
- The moment of truth: Nufenen Pass with 1,119 steep metres in altitude
- That is unique: 60 kilometre descent from the Nufenen to Biasca
The Alpenbrevet in Switzerland has been overshadowed by the Ötztal Cycle Marathon for years - it is not as prestigious, but still incredibly difficult. The Platinum Tour with 7,090 metres of altitude difference, spread over five passes, is a tough test in the high mountains. Even the Gold route over 5,080 metres in altitude is tough. The long climbs of the Furka, Nufenen and Oberalp passes all lead to an altitude of over 2,000 metres - only the Lukmanier at 1,915 metres remains just below this. There are no complete road closures, so unfortunately there is more traffic on some sections - probably the main reason why the Ötztal is more popular. A big advantage for newcomers to the world of Alpine marathons: there are various shorter distances to choose from, for which, unlike the Platinum Round, there are usually still starting places available. Important: Fit lights and reflectors and take a few gels and bars with you, because the catering is not as perfect as at other events.
Routes
- 268 km/7,090 metres in altitude
- 212 km/5,080 metres in altitude
- 108 km/3,200 metres altitude
- 64 km/2,140 metres in altitude
Date
3 September
Entry fee
from 75 CHF (71 Euro)
Info
Tips for following
A good choice is the silver tour (3,200 metres in altitude) with three top passes: Furka, Nufenen and Gotthard. Even the approach to the Furka is spectacular: a "vertical" wall leads from the valley basin to the top of the pass. The most famous photo motif on the ascent is the Hotel Belvédère, which is surrounded by the road (best view of the Rhone Glacier). This is followed by the Nufenen, a tough climb: short sections reach a gradient of 11 per cent. The crowning glory of the tour is the cobblestones from Airolo to the Gotthard Pass. The 24 hairpin bends of the "Tremola Road" are legendary. As most cars use the tunnel between Airolo and Göschenen, traffic on this section is kept to a minimum. An early start is recommended for the tour - especially in July and August.
Three-country giro Nauders
- That's why it's worth it: Grandiose route
- The moment of truth: The Norbertshöhe shows who still has some energy left
- That is unique: Stelvio Pass in the race
Nauders in Tyrol is the perfect location for one of the most successful cycling marathons: situated within easy reach of the Stelvio Pass, the dream route practically presents itself from there. The 2,757 metre-high Stelvio is a challenge for amateur and professional athletes alike: the long climb, the thin air and the risk of bad weather underpin its legendary status. The ascent from the Vinschgau Valley to the top of the pass is often referred to as the "Queen of Alpine roads". However, it is not only the route that has attracted racing cyclists to the Dreiländergiro for 28 years, but also the race-oriented organisation by the Nauders Bike Club. For years, the catering has been exemplarily geared towards fast carbohydrates. Participants can choose between the "Vinschgau" route with 3,000 metres of elevation gain over 120 kilometres and the "Engadin" route with 3,300 metres of elevation gain over 168 kilometres - both lead over the Stilfser Joch. As every year, the longer tour is sold out. The requirements of the Swiss authorities lead to a limit of 1,500 starters per route. Those who fear riding in a large field need not worry about the three-country giro: the peloton is already spread out over the first few kilometres and there is plenty of space on the road from Prad at the latest.
Route
168 km/3,300 m
120 km/3,000 metres altitude
Date
26 June
Entry fee
from 95 Euro
Info
Tips for following
The legendary 48 hairpin bends are great fun uphill - in the opposite direction, it often gets tight when motorhomes or buses take a long way round the hairpin bends. It therefore makes sense to cycle the Stelvio Pass only uphill, as in the cycle marathon. The shorter "Vinschgau" route (120 km) via Prad, Stelvio, Umbrailpass and St. Maria is ideal as a start.
is ideal. The sausage and souvenir stands at the top of the pass are almost as famous as the hairpin bends. An early start is recommended to avoid the tourist traffic - during the course of the day, the Stelvio becomes a fairground. There is little traffic from the Umbrail Pass to St. Maria, and after the natural road was tarmaced in 2015, the descent is a stress-free pleasure. GPS data on the organiser's website.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
