83.5 km - 4 beklimmingen / 5 cols - 2223 m hoogteverschil
Een prachtige openingsrit in het hart van de Dolomieten. Combineert de drie mooiste cols van de Sella Ring met de beklimming van de Passo di Falzarego / Passo di Valparola.
A good starting point is the Sella Ring. The Sella Ring is the heart of the Dolomites. Four high passes (Passo di Gardena, Passo di Sella, Passo Pordoi, Passo Campolongo) form a 50 km circuit surrounding the Gruppo di Sella, a rocky massif with sheer walls, rising to 3152 m. More curtains of rock surround the roads on al sides, in one of the most vertical landscapes to be found anywhere in the Alps. If the passes had to be ranked in a scenic order, it would be Gardena and Sella joint first, with Pordoi close behind and Campolongo some way below. The roads are not as quiet as elsewhere in the Alps, with Gardena perhaps the busiest, but it is not a serious problem, and Passo di Sella is very narrow and quiet, as well as being splendidly scenic. Opinions differ as whether to ride the circuit clockwise or anti-, but most people ride it anti-clockwise.
Beklimming van de zuidkant vanuit Andraz. Op de top linksaf en nog even verder klimmen naar de Passo di Falzarego.
An important through route to the east, perhaps a busier pass than most but very fine on the southern approach, with dramatic engineering and good scenery.
Wordt in ��n adem met de Passo di Falzarego beklommen. De top ligt ~1.5 km voorbij en 87 m hoger dan de Passo di Falzarego.
This Dolomite pass is quite different in character from its near neighbours. A long steady climb from the north-west, near the summit its unique character becomes apparent, an exposed stoney wilderness without any of the surrounding curtains of rock that are typical of other Dolomite passes. From the summit there is a short descent to the summit of the Falzarego. (Virtual Alps)
Beklimming van de (noord)oostzijde vanuit La Villa (1421 m), langs Corvara (1522 m) en Colfosco (1645 m). Corvara is het aanknopingspunt met het klassieke circuit van de Sella Ring. Afdaling naar Plan de Gralba (1871 m).
A superb pass, perhaps the most beautiful of the four that make up the Sella Ring. An easy pass from either direction when taken as part of the Sella Ring, with gentler gradients than is usual in the Dolomites, but a longer climb if approached from the north, or from Val Gardena to the west. The western side passes through fabulous surroundings. The east side is almost as fine, with many hairpins through green meadowland. (Virtual Alps)
Beklimming van de noordzijde vanop Plan de Gralba (1871 m). Afdaling tot op kruispunt S48 � S243 (1849 m)
Not quite the highest pass in the Dolomites, but one of the most spectacular ones. The road from the summit of Gardena Pass across the Sella is the best section of the ring. An easy pass from either direction when taken as part of the Sella Ring, but a longer climb if approached from the direction of Fedaia via Canazei, or from Val Gardena. Although marked as a major road on the map, it is narrow and quiet. (Virtual Alps�
Beklimming van de westzijde vanop kruispunt S48 � S243 (1849 m). Afdaling tot in Andraz (1432 m) langs Arabba (1602 m) en Pieve di Livinalongo (1470 m).
By a whisker, the highest pass (surfaced on both sides) in the Dolomites, very fine but marginally less spectacular than Sella and Gardena Passes. Easy from the west, but a slightly longer haul from Arabba in the east. The east side is nicely hairpinned through lush pastureland. (Virtual Alps)
De langste rit van onze trip, in een poging om in ��n lus een aantal beklimmingen in het zuidelijke �voorgebergte� van de Dolomieten te combineren. Een ware uitdaging met 4500 m hoogteverschil en 63.5 km klimkilometers. In de Giro van 1998 werden in ��n enkele etappe achtereenvolgens Passo Duran, Forcella Staulanza, Colle di Santa Lucia, Passo Fedaia en Passo di Sella beklommen. In principe hoeft de wagen niet mee�kortere varianten en short-cuts zijn vlot in te passen.
Beklimming van de oostzijde vanuit Cencenighe. Een lange beklimming die langzaam steiler wordt naar de top toe. Het grootste gedeelte van de klim valt samen met de oostelijke beklimming van de Passo di San Pellegrino (1918 m). Over de Valles geen informatie gevonden, wel over de San Pellegrino
An east climb from the west but longer and steeper from the east (Virtual Alps)
Aansluiting op de beklimming van de westzijde net voorbij Panev�ggio op een hoogte van 1555 m.
Very scenic at the summit, an easy climb from the west but long and steep from the south� (Virtual Alps)
Beklimming van de zuidkant van beide passen.
These two passes, fairly undistinguished in themselves, form a valuable link between the Passo San Boldo to the south and the heart of the Dolomites to the north. They are both quite steep and hard considering their modest height. (Virtual Alps)
Beklimming van de oostkant.
This is no more than a slight bump in the low road linking the Giau and the Fedaia. However it also links to several other routes so it is highly likely that the tourist would cross this pass. Taken east to west, it is fairly uninteresting, but in the other direction there are some fine, if rather unexpected, views of the Marmolada. (Virtual Alps)
Een rit met twee van de zwaarste Dolomietenbeklimmingen�de Giau en de Tre Cime. De zwaarte schuilt hem vooral in de niet aflatende stijgingspercentages boven de 10%. Inkortingsmogelijkheden door auto in Cortina d�Ampezzo te plaatsen.
Beklimming van de westkant.
Beklimming van de zuid(west)zijde vanuit Selva di Cadore.
It is a very hard climb indeed from the south, noticeably steeper than most other Alpine passes, and with very little scenic reward. From Cortina d�Ampezzo in the north it is easier and much more pleasant climbing through light woodland with small streams cooling the air. This side is also nicely hairpinned, and makes an entertaining descent. (Virtual Alps)
About the southern ascent:" There is nothing remarkable about the gradients or the vertical elevation of the Giau, at least not when compared to other �big� and difficult climbs. What is noteworthy about it, though, is the fact that it gives nowhere to rest as the grades do not let up once."
Beklimming van de westzijde vanuit Cortina d�Ampezzo.
This is an easy and very pleasant pass leading eastwards from Cortina, towards the magnificent Misurina/Tre Cime area. From the west there is a smooth and steady climb through light woodland leading to unusual heath-like upper slopes. From the east there is hardly any climb at all from the area around Lake Misurina, or a long climb if approached from Auronzo. (Virtual Alps)
De hoogste en meest beruchte beklimming in de Dolomieten (profiel 1).
This is a difficult climb indeed, with long sections of 15% or steeper, even on the lower slopes. The road is fairly quiet thanks to a toll gate near the bottom, however the scenery is matchless and there will always be a few other road users around.
The steep road eventually reaches the Rifugio Auronzo (2320 m). This is the highest surfaced road in the Dolomites. At this point the views to the south and east open up in a most dramatic way. Behind the hut, the road continues eastwards as an unsurfaced track traversing a steep slope, towards Refugio Lavaredo.
Above the tarmac the track continues, almost on a level and easily rideable. The views to the south open out even more to confirm this as the most spectacular road in the Dolomites, and one of the very finest of all Alpine passes. After the Rifugio Lavaredo (2344 m), it is a short scramble up a scree slope to reach the pass itself, at 2454 m. (Virtual Alps)
The Tre Cime climb has the reputation of being a killer, and this reputation is due solely to the last six kilometers where the gradients are always above 12%, with long sections at 15 to 16%, interrupted only by short descents and some flatter sections. In 1967 it was raced for the first time in the Giro d�Italia.
Beklimming van de oostkant vanuit Cortina d�Ampezzo.
Overgangsrit westwaarts uit de Dolomieten. Beklimming van de derde Dolomietenklepper: de Fedaia.
Beklimming van de oostzijde vanuit Caprile.
The west side is easy, with some tunnels including a long unlit one near the summit. The east side is long and steep�difficult both to climb and descend. This pass runs close to the Marmolada, highest mountain in the area and with the only permanent snwofields in the vicinity.
About the western ascent: "A classical Giro d�Italia climb. The last 5.5 km at an average grade of 11.1%, two kilometers at 13%, maxima 17 to 18%."
Beklimming van de oostzijde.
A long and steep climb from the west, easy from the east. (Virtual Alps)
Beklimming van de oostzijde vanuit Appiano. Geen cijfergegevens over de klim gevonden.
This is only a small climb from Fondo, but the east side is much bigger, a dramatic road through colourful shrub, carved into a cliff overlooking the town of Bolzano. Like the nearby Passo di Palade (1512 m), quite an unusual feel to this pass, as compared with its bigger neighbours to the north, west and east
Beklimming van de oostkant langs de S42. Deze weg loopt over z�n volledige lengte vanuit de Adige-vallei langzaam omhoog naar de Tonale. Vanuit Livo (kruispunt S42�S43) bedraagt de afstand tot de top 38.5 km. In de Giro 99 heeft men de Tonale beklommen vanuit Dimaro (kruispunt S42�S239), maar werden enkel de laatste 10 km voor de top�met een gemiddelde helling van 6.2%�als �echte� klim beschouwd.
Beklimming van de Gavia langs de zuidkant. De profielgegevens in de tabel zijn berekend vanuit Ponte di Legno (kruispunt S42�S300).
Many people�s favourite of all Alpine passes. A long climb from either side, but not especially difficult. It is fully surfaced on both sides. The north side is mostly easy and unspectacular. Near the summit a more dramatic section is followed by a long flattish road with great views of peaks and glaciers to the east. The summit lake is typical of many passes near the Swiss/Italian border. The south side is superb. The road is very narrow in places, with a huge drop down into the valley to the west. (Virtual Alps)
The Gavia has become legendary after two tremendous stages (1960 and 1988) in the Giro d�Italia. It is now fully surfaced. Taking the south side from Ponte di Legno, the last 10 km average 9.5%. The steepest kilometer is 13%, some ramps are at 15%, however they are interrupted by flatter sections through the runs.
Bormio is small city in Italy, very close to the Swiss border. It lies at the foot of two of the greatest passes in the Alps, the Stelvio and the Gavia, and offers good access to several others: Mortirolo, Umbrail, Foscagno, and Torre di Fraele.
Een ode aan de Stelvio�met z�n 2757 m de tweede hoogste Alpencol na de Col de la Bonette (2715/2801 m), die Martino overigens tot zover als enige op z'n palmares heeft. Naar verluidt een indrukwekkende col, rechttoe rechtaan, met langs de zuidzijde een wirwar van tunnels, en langs de noordzijde een eindeloze reeks haardspeldbochten.
Een dubbele beklimming van de Stelvio: eerst de zuidwestkant vanuit Bormio, en nadien de noordoostkant vanuit Prato (profielen 2 en 3). Afdalen na de eerste beklimming langs de Pass Umbrail tot in Santa Maria.
Over de oostzijde : "Known as the �King of the Mountain Passes�. A Vertical elevation of almost 1900 m. The climb starts very gently; the final 22 kilometers have an average gradient of 8%, the steepest sections are 11 to 12%, with a shirt maximum at 15%. Above Trafoi (1543 m) the final 13.8 km of the fifty-two switchback climb have an average gradient of 8.8%. An interesting point is that after climbing this approach (the eastern) to the pass and descending past Bormio, one reaches the horrifically steep ascent of the Mortirolo pass. This double was accomplished in a stage of the 1994 Tour of Italy. The road across the Stilfser Joch was built as early as 1819-25 on behalf of the Austrian empire. With the transfer of South Tyrol to Italy (1919) the 48 km long road came to be situated entirely on Italian land.
This is the second highest surfaced pass in the Alps, and the most dramatic of all the high passes. It is entirely in Italy, but the Umbrail which forms a third side to this pass crosses the Swiss border. It is an exceptionally long climb from the east, from the west side it is less arduous. Both sides have numerous spectacular hairpin bends�to the west these are heavily engineered to climb out of a gorge, to the east the road is narrower and rather rough as the bends claw up the mountainside towards the summit. The east side makes an exceptionally fine descent, as the tight bends are nicely banked for speed on a bicycle and it goes on forever. On a fine day the summit comes as something of a shock, as it is very popular and will be heaving with people. At least there�s always a bar open for a (very expensive) drink or a snack. Fortunately the mountain is so big that all these people seem to disappear on the road. (Virtual Alps)
Hier passeren we tijdens de afdaling van de Stelvio. De beklimming van de Umbrail vanuit Santa Maria is naar verluidt ook bijzonder fraai.
This Swiss pass meets the Stelvio at high level, with a border post inot Italy near the junction. Th ehighest border post in Europe.
Als epiloog en ultieme kuitenbijter de Mortirolo: een Alpe d�Huez in �t kwadraat en zonder meer de zwaarste beklimming van de trip. Het profiel spreekt voor zich�
Passo di Mortirolo / Passo di Foppa(1852 m)
According to professional riders this is the hardest climb of any major tour. The final 11.0 km average 11.3%; meat of ascent 9.0 km at almost 13.0%, four ramps at 18% and eight ramps at 15%. The Mortirolo was part of the Giro d�Italia in 1991, 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1999. In a race the Mortirolo can be preceded by the Stelvio (1994) and Gavia passes (1996, 1999). In 1991 Franco Chioccioli became the first person to reach the 1852 m summit in a major race. His time for the ascent was 46�41�, i.e. the average speed was 15.5 km/h. The modern Pantani-myth was first created on the Mortirolo on the Mortirolo in the 1994 edition of the Giro d�Italia. The pirate established the hitherto unbeaten record time for the climb, 43�57� (average speed 17 km/h). A telling comparison with the Tour�s famed Alpe d�Huez: In the 1997 Tour de France Pantani did the 14 km long French ascent in about 36 minutes, eight minutes less than his record time for the 12.5 km long Mortirolo.
A climb made famous by the Giro d�Italia, the really steep side is form the west. The east side has a couple of very steep sections but is not difficult overall. Not really high enough to be spectacular, though it is pleasant to be out of the smoggy valleys on eiher side. Technically it is the Passo di Foppa, the true Mortirolo pass being a rough crossing close by to the north-east�but all the road signs are for the Mortirolo, so perhaps the name is changing with usage. (Virtual Alps)