The fever begins for the Tour of Italy on Monte Grappa. Over the weekend, dozens of cycling groups and enthusiasts stormed the iconic climbs of the Sacro Monte and on this occasion stopped along the roads to point out the spaces where organized groups can witness the epic battle. A sort of gold rush, which in this case is the best space to see the titanic feat of the cyclists.
Path
A highly anticipated stage, that of May 25th, which will probably decide the Giro: 181 kilometers in total, it will start from Alpago and, after having crossed the Prosecco Hills for a long time, with the climbing the Wall of Ca’ del Poggio (4th cat.), after 85 kilometers you will arrive at the foot of Monte Grappa. The runners will tackle it from the Semonzo side, reaching 1700 meters above sea level with 18.2 km of climb, with an average gradient of 8.1% and a couple of short stretches on a slight slope. At the top there will be 78 km to go and a long descent of almost 30 km will take the group back to Semonzo, where the second climb of Monte Grappa will begin. The last 32 km will be in a nosedive and then off towards Bassano del Grappa, where the stage winner will be rewarded.
The Champions
Places that enthusiasts have always known. And, speaking of history, the link between the Giro and Monte Grappa should also be remembered. The 1968 stage won by Emilio Casalini is legendary. In 1974 we started from Misurina, the stage was won by Eddy Merckx: Fuente was on the run at the top of the hill and was reached during the descent of the Cadorna. Up to the present day, with a climb up the General Giardino (known as “Degli Arditi”), then a descent onto the Cadorna and a solo finish with Vincenzo Nibali in 2010. The last big event was in 2014, with the time trial with the riders changing their bikes at the height of the Church of Semonzo in Borso del Grappa with arrival at Cima Grappa won by Nairo Quintana: the Colombian sprinted last and beat the young Fabio Aru by 17 seconds. Monte Grappa, however, is not only uphill, but also downhill: Vincenzo Nibali in 2010, after overtaking the Grappa da Semonzo, dived towards Asolo, separating Cadel Evans, Michele Scarponi and teammate Ivan Basso.
Changes to traffic
The Unione Montana del Bassanese and the IPA Terre di Asolo e Montegrappa, following a meeting with the competent authorities on 9 May, inform citizens that on the occasion of the 20th stage of the Giro d’Italia limitations will be placed on the traffic on all access roads to Monte Grappa. The relevant administrative measures will be issued in the next few days.
In detail:
ROAD CIRCULATION GRAPPA MASSIF.
Friday 24/05/2024 from 6pm: TRAFFIC BAN for all vehicles, with the exception of “motor vehicles and bicycles” (for example: campers, trailers, coaches, tractors, vans and any means used for camping) ); Saturday 05/25/2024 from 00:00: TRAFFIC BAN for all vehicles with the exception of those of residents and workers in businesses on the Grappa massif. Saturday 25/05/2024 from 06:00: NO CIRCULATION on the access roads to Cima Grappa except for cycles and pedestrians. The passability of the road will be guaranteed exclusively up to 2.5 hours before the passage of the Giro d’Italia caravan. The roads will reopen at the end of the passage of the caravan, probably between 7pm and 7.30pm on Saturday 25/05/2024, with the one-way route going downhill until the traffic is completely decongested.
RECEPTION AND ROUTEING AREAS DOWNSTREAM OF THE MOUNTAIN ACCESS AND PARKING
In order to guarantee the correct flow of traffic for arriving spectators, filter zones will be set up as early as 06.00 on Saturday 25 May, with traffic restrictions in the streets traveled by the race and interfering roads, also for the purpose of setting up the advertising and entertainment media linked to the Giro d’Italia.
Parking areas will be used downstream, in the following locations: Romano d’Ezzelino, from the Romano Nord exit of the SS47 Valsugana; Borso del Grappa, arriving from the SP 26 and via Molini; Bassano del Grappa, in the Baxi area; Santa Croce neighborhood of Bassano del Grappa.
The week before the event the traffic police will carry out checks in the Grappa massif. Traffic restrictions may be subject to further modifications due to progressive saturation of the areas. The changes to the road network and parking areas will be promptly indicated in a specific map which will be published on the websites of the municipalities and on social media, as well as printed and made available to interested parties and the public.
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