Val Gardena in Giro fever…
After 2017, the famous men's road cycling stage race "Giro d'Italia" returns to Val Gardena. Val Gardena, where cycling has always played a major role, has had the honour of hosting the Giro d'Italia nine times: the first time in 1940. On 21st and 22nd May 2024, the Giro returns to the valley again as the finish stage in S. Cristina on 21st May 2024 and the start stage in Selva on 22nd May 2024.
The 16th stage starting in Livigno and finishing in S. Cristina in Val Gardena is a long stage with the Cima Coppi of the Stelvio Pass in it. The cyclists start uphill with the Passes Eira and Foscagno followed after Bormio by the Stelvio. Afterwards long descent and a long plains to Bolzano along the Val Venosta and the Valle dell’Adige. From Cardano follows a long climb to Castelrotto to the Passo Pinei. After crossing Ortisei, the last few kilometres are a gentle ascent to the final climb to Monte Pana at the foot of the majestic Sassolungo in S. Cristina.
[Translate to en:]
The following day, the 17th stage will start from Piazza Nives in Selva di Val Gardena. It is a short but very intense stage with few kilometres and remarkable elevation gain. It begins with the ascent of the Passo Sella, followed by the only “quiet” section of the day, the Val di Fassa. The riders will sequentially climb the Passo Rolle, Passo Gobbera and Passo Brocon to the first checkpoint. Descent towards Catello Tesino and up to Passo Brocon, again from the tougher side of the Val Malene, to the finish. The last 2 kilometres are very steep (average 12%) with tight hairpin bends.
The history of the Giro d'Italia in Val Gardena
The 9 stages in Val Gardena and the winners
The history of the Giro d'Italia in Val Gardena began on June 5th, 1940, with a challenging ride through the majestic Dolomites that triumphantly concluded in Piazza Sant’Antonio in Ortisei. The stage victory went to the legendary Gino Bartali, closely pursued by the young Fausto Coppi, a rising star in Italian cycling who would later triumph in the 28th edition of the Giro d'Italia.
After a 43-year absence, the Giro d'Italia returned to Val Gardena in 1983. On June 2nd of that year, the "Giro" made its first appearance in Selva Val Gardena, with Mario Beccia being the first to cross the finish line in the 19th stage of the 66th edition of the Giro d‘Italia. Selva Val Gardena was confirmed as a stage in the following two years, with consecutive arrivals and departures. In 1984, Marino Lejarreta won the Selva stage with Francesco Moser wearing the pink jersey. In 1985, the stage victory coming from Pinzolo went to the Swiss cyclist Hubert Seiz.
The Giro d‘Italia made its return to Selva di Val Gardena six years later, in June 1991, with an epic stage won by Massimiliano Lelli, thanks to an irresistible sprint in the final 300 meters.
A date etched in the memory of all cycling enthusiasts is June 2nd, 1998 when Marco Pantani conquered the first pink bike jersey in his career in Selva di Val Gardena, securing his victory in the 81st Giro d'Italia. The stage victory, which took place from Asiago to Selva di Val Gardena, went to Giuseppe Guerrini.
The last stage arrival in Selva di Val Gardena dates back to the year 2000, with the Spanish cyclist José Luis Rubiera emerging as the winner.
