Bormio kicks off the cycling summer: Road bike events around Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo

The racing bike season in Bormio has begun. The Mortirolo is already open, while the Stelvio and Gavia will be open to cyclists in the coming weeks. The Valtellina region combines granfondos, car-free passes and cross-season challenges on the routes that have characterised riders such as Pantani, Coppi and Contador. On offer are cycling marathons with timekeeping, car-free cycling days and ideas for your own racing bike tours.

Enjoy Stelvio Valtellina without timekeeping

The Enjoy Stelvio Valtellina initiative runs from 30 May to 19 September and closes the major passes in the province of Sondrio to motorised traffic. The car-free cycling days offer pass enjoyment without timekeeping. On 5 June, the Gavia Pass (2,618 m) takes centre stage. 8 June brings the Cancano Lakes with 21 hairpin bends at 1,946 m. This is followed on 9 June by the Mortirolo from Mazzo with a length of 12.4 km and an average gradient of over 10 per cent, with individual sections reaching over 20 per cent. June ends on the 28th with the Splügen Pass at 2,115 metres on the Swiss border. On other dates in July and August, car-free cycling days are offered on Cancano, Mortirolo and Gavia, before the Stelvio ends the season on 19 September.

Competitions from June

The Stelvio Santini cycling marathon offers its three classic road routes on 7 June: short with 64 km, medium with 108 km and long with 130 km and 4,270 metres in altitude. For the first time, there will also be a gravel route with two variants over 44 and 70 kilometres through forests between Bormio and the Cancano lakes.

The Alpi 4000, a 400 km randonnée from Bormio into the UNESCO Dolomites, begins on 20 June. The route leads via Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo, Pordoi and Falzarego. The Mogast celebrates its tenth anniversary from 26 to 28 June. The formula combines Mortirolo, Gavia and Stelvio in one day: 157 km and over 5,200 metres of altitude in the road version, 121 km with around 4,200 metres of altitude on gravel.

On 12 July, the Re Stelvio Mapei reaches its 41st edition and attracts over 3,000 cyclists and runners on the 21 km to the Stelvio at 2,758 m. The Stelvio Bike Day on 29 August opens up the Stelvio to cyclists from all three sides. Participation is free of charge and possible without registration.

Ten climbs on the Stelvio Epic Rides

The Stelvio Epic Rides challenge participants with ten climbs over the entire season. There are no time limits and no ranking lists. The three well-known climbs Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo form the core. The Cancano Lakes with the hairpin bends of the Fraele Towers, Bormio 2000 on the bends where Cunego secured the pink jersey in 2004 and the Forte di Oga with 7.3 km through forest to a fortress from the First World War complete the programme.

The Strada dei Forni from Santa Caterina Valfurva is short and steep with views of glaciers. Monte from Scleva offers an average gradient of 9 per cent and panoramic views over the Bormio basin. Fumero from Le Prese is a good way to start the season. The Forcola Pass, the Via dei Ghiacciai, leads from Livigno at 2,314 metres towards the Swiss border. The ten climbs cover a total of 125 km and 8,300 metres in altitude.

At each summit there is a totem pole for a photo as proof. Those who complete at least nine climbs will receive the new Finisher Trophy, a handmade sculpture by a local artist. Registration takes place online with three packages: Bronze for €35, Silver for €80 and Gold for €120. Each package includes a kit from Santini Cycling Wear in three exclusive designs, two of which are new this year.

Gravel routes in alpine terrain

The Alta Valtellina offers a network of gravel tracks, mule tracks and mountain roads along historic transit routes such as the Strada del Sale e del Vino. The Cancano lakes can also be reached via unsurfaced roads.

The IV Stelvio is aimed at experienced riders. The route measures 52.7 km with 2,340 metres in altitude and takes around seven and a half hours. The old Via del Salz leads from Bormio to Cima Coppi through the Ortles-Cevedale massif.