After the extraordinary show he gave us Tadej Pogacar in Sunday’s stage and after the second day of rest, the Giro d’Italia sets off to face its last week. If the final victory appears firmly in the hands of the Slovenian phenomenon, they are still There are many reasons of interest that the race offersstarting from the sixteenth fraction, the Livigno – Santa Cristina Val Gardena, 206 km and 4,350 meters of altitude difference.
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Today is a stage of high mountainbut broken by Adige and Isarco valley which makes it composed of three parts. Mountain, with Foscagno and Umbrail Pass (Cima Coppi after the decision not to climb to the summit of Stelvio for safety reasons); plain, from Prato allo Stevio until shortly after Bolzano; mountain, with the ascent of Pinei Pass and the finale in Val Gardena after Santa Cristina.
The last 3 km are almost all uphill except for the short descent that leads from the center of Saint Christina to the bridge (-2 km) where it begins the final tear. Tear of average slope around 12% with peaks of 16% in the initial part with narrow hairpin bends.
THE ITALY OF THE GIRO
After the day of rest the Giro starts again from Livigno heading towards the Dolomites. If it was an opportunity for the cyclists to recharge their batteries in view of the decisive week of the race, the same cannot be said for the fans, who in Livigno found a program of events – sporting, gastronomic and musical – that gave no one time to get bored.
But the time has come to leave again. The very long descent begins at 2,498 meters of the Umbrail Pass which leads to Val Venosta. You have to apply the brakes well, because even where the gradients decrease, the temptation to go at full speed is strong. He thinks about it the magnificent village of Glorenza, completely surrounded by a solid city wall to impose the stop. Walking through the alleys of the center between porticoes and buildings that are both ancient and well preserved is exciting. Everything is true here, like it used to be.
Once back on the road, you travel between long expanses of apple orchards, the jewel in the crown of agricultural production in the Venosta and South Tyrol regions. At this point at the gates of Merano, however, the vineyards fill the scene. A stop in some cellar where you can fill up on precious zero-mile bottles is a must. Just as, shortly afterwards, the stalls overflowing with the renowned Terlano asparagus attract the gourmet’s attention.
Bolzano pulls out every possible weapon to hold back the guest; from Castel Roncolo, the painted manor, a Firmian Castle clearly visible before entering the city and home to the Messner Mountain Museumup to Otzi mummy preserved at the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum and in the contemporary art collections of the Museion. Appreciate the sumptuous atmospheres of Walther Square, the historic living room of the South Tyrolean capital, we get back on the road and finally head towards the Dolomites. In Fié allo Scilliar you can admire the mighty Castel Presulethen here is the ancient world of Castelrottofrom where, almost touching the walls of the Sciliar you reach Val Gardena at Ortisei: it is the town of master wood carvers whose expertise is celebrated at the Gherdeina Museum and exhibited in the windows of the ateliers also overlooking the pedestrian streets of the historic centre.
Santa Cristina Valgardena is just further away. It can also be reached on foot or by bike following the route of an ancient railway, and then stopping in front of the largest hand-carved nativity scene in the world set up at the Iman Sports Centre. The statues are life-size and new ones are constantly being added.
However, the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are the main dish that Santa Cristina puts on the table. The most famous mountains in the world can be admired up close from the Mastlé panoramic balcony, located at the top station of the Col Raiser cable car at 2200 meters above sea level, or from Monte Pana, where the stage finish line is located. The Sassolungo, the Sella, the Odle will remain forever in your eyes and heart.
