After the show of the inaugural stage in Turin, the Giro comes to life by offering the first uphill finish. The first part of San Francesco al Campo – Sanctuary of Oropa of 161 km it winds flat through the Canavese and Vercelli areas up to Valdengo where it then rears up and links a succession of ascents and descents without a moment’s respite.
to follow the live story of the entire stage starting from 12.55pm CLICK HERE
They climb first Crocemovosso And Oasi Zegna until you get to Nelva cycleable climb. Fast descent to Biella where the final climb of Oropa begins on the “classic” route already tackled on several occasions by the Giro d’Italia. The first part, up to the town of Favaro, has gentle slopes but it is precisely in the town of Favaro, with porphyry paving, that the maximum slopes are reached (around 13%). The climb continues with numerous bends and gradients of around 9% until the finish line. Overall, the climb measures 11.8 km at an average gradient of 6.2%.
THE ITALY OF THE GIRO
You can breathe cycling in San Francesco al Campo, the small center 20 kilometers from Turin where it has been in operation since 1996 the Francone Velodrome, reference point for track riders in the North-West and federal training centre. You visit it as if on a pilgrimage, thinking of the many athletes who have built their dreams here in almost 30 years. Then we set out on the trail of the runners in the Canavese lands, secluded but full of points of historical and gastronomic interest.
In Rivarolo Canavese you can admire, for example, the Malgrà Castle which overlooks and protects the town dating back to 1333, while a Caluso you immerse yourself in the prized vineyards Erbaluce di Caluso DOC and an equally renowned Passito. Wines that can also be appreciated by stopping at the Regional Wine Shop of the province of Turin which is based in Caluso.
The long, but fast, crossing among the rice fields of the Vercelli area leads to the province of Biella. A land that has been devoted to the highest quality textile industry for centuries, but which reserves countless opportunities for rest. In Valdengo you can admire another sumptuous fourteenth-century manor, but just move away from the race route for five kilometers to enter the fairy-tale little ancient world of Ricetto di Candelo, splendidly preserved medieval village whose paved paths are truly exciting to walk.
Passed Crocemovossothe first mountain Grand Prix of the day, we enter the heart of the textile industrial district, with the possibility of also observing numerous examples of industrial archeology converted into museums and spaces for public use.
Runners head here in the territory of the Oasi Zegna, an environmental jewel which in recent weeks is starting to show its most beautiful face, in particular in the sensational Conca dei rhododendrons, barely touched by the race route and which deserves the brief digression.
Biella welcomes you with its collection of historical monuments (the Cathedral of Santo Stefano, the Baptistery), post-industrial spaces (reborn to new life in the name of contemporary art (the City of Art-Fondazione Pistoletto) and the evocative medieval quarter of the Piazzo, located in an elevated position compared to the city and can also be reached by funicular. You can relax here before the final leap that leads to the finish line next to the Sanctuary of Oropa. You climb with the epic comeback of Marco Pantani still in your eyes, who achieved one of his most beautiful feats on this ascent in 1999. In the greenery behind the Sanctuary lies the Sacro Monte, included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site for its high artistic value. To be appreciated, without haste, after the arrival of the runners.
