Apr 29, 2021 Canyon.com
Apr 29, 2021 Canyon.com

The Most Iconic Climbs of the Giro d'Italia

All passionate road cyclists aim to reach the sign “Passo dello Stelvio” once in their life. Here are the highest climbs tackled in the editions of the Giro d'Italia.

The Most Iconic Climbs of the Giro d'Italia Ortles view from the Stelvio Pass

All road cycling enthusiasts aim to cycle a great Alpine pass at least once in their lives. These majestic climbs are the main scenario of pedaling duels in the Grand Tours and ensure thrills and spills for all the fans of this sport. They are the epitome of courage, determination and bravery that set apart the heroes of cycling.

It was in honor of one of these timeless icons, Fausto Coppi, was first introduced in 1965 the symbol par excellence of the mountain climbs: the Cima Coppi. This title is given to the highest point of the Giro d'Italia. Bonus points are up for grabs on summit finishes and to the first riders over that mountain. The Cima Coppi is a piece of world cycling history and has made some of the most spectacular Alpine passes legendary.

At the very top of every passionate roadie’s bucket list is an exciting and rewarding goal marked by the checkpoint under the road signs of mountain passes. Each climb has its unique and defined by length and gradient. For shorter climbs, it might be a good option to choose an aerodynamic bike: the Aeroad is unbeatable once you get over the top. If you want to tackle a longer route, or maybe try a double alpine pass as many amateurs do riding Stelvio and Gavia in the same day, you can choose the Endurace; a bike with a more relaxed geometry that guarantees a comfortable position even after many kilometres. The electric version, the Endurace:ON, is an e-bike with the classic geometry and agility of a road bike and really allows every cyclist to reach their goal. But the unrivalled queen of the mountains is the grimpeur's bike of choice: the Ultimate. Get ready to be clipped in and ride!

Top 5 Giro d'Italia climbs to ride:

Stelvio Pass

Location: Border of South Tyrol and Valtellina
Elevation: 2758m
Max. gradient: 12%
Distance: 26km
Pass opening times: May - November
Giro d'Italia Cima Coppi editions: 10

Peloton descending the Stelvio Pass during the Giro d'Italia 2017 Peloton descending the Stelvio Pass during the Giro d'Italia 2017 | © Kramon Photo

The Queen of Italian road cycling, the mighty Stelvio Pass is the ultimate Cima Coppi, which at 2758m is the highest point ever reached by the Giro. The pass was included for the first time in the route in 1953: the edition that was the scene of one of the last great exploits of Fausto Coppi.

The pass can be reached from three sides. The toughest is the South Tyrolean one starting from Prato allo Stelvio and climbing for almost 26km with gradients up to 12% in the last kilometre before the KoM. The total pedalled elevation gain is over 1800 metres: the first section is a false flat before snaking its way up the 48 hairpin turns with average gradients around 8-9%. A challenge to cyclists, we think you'll agree!

The second option is to start from Bormio. From this slope the climb is about 21.5km and there are 40 hairpin turns to face. The total elevation gain is less than on the other side (about 1500 meters) and the average gradient is 7% with peaks of 12%.

The third route leaves the Swiss town in Val Müstair and reconnects to the road from Bormio at the Umbrail Pass. The road leading to the Swiss-Italian pass is about 13km long, it's narrow and steep with peaks up to 12% and a difference in elevation of more than 1440 meters.

The Stelvio Pass has been climbed 13 times at the Giro d'Italia, and has been designated "Cima Coppi" in each of these editions since 1965: a total of 10 times. Dario Cataldo (now part of the Movistar team sponsored by Canyon) was the first to reach the summit in 2014 despite the harsh weather conditions and snow on the road. We asked him what it's like to be first on the top of the Giro d'Italia:

“I have always considered the Stelvio as the Queen of climbs. From the day before the race, I felt that I had an appointment with her, and on that day, between grit and fear I decided that the cold day had to be faced head on. 3km from finish line I wanted to conquer it, regardless the result of the stage. I no longer felt the cold, nor the fatigue, just the desire to conquer the special Cima Coppi that meant so much to me. In 2016 Cima Coppi was won by Michele Scarponi and the following year the stage was dedicated to him with the special double Stelvio stage. These are just some small coincidences and anecdotes that create a strong bond with a climb where I have experienced great joy and deep sorrows. For this reason, for a cyclist, a road is much more than just a strip of asphalt.”

Dario Cataldo at the Tour de France 2020 Dario Cataldo at the Tour de France 2020 | © Kramon Photo

Each year the Stelvio National Park administration organizes the Stelvio Bike Day. On that day the roads are closed to all traffic except for bicycles. Mark your calendar: Saturday 3rd September 2022 to enjoy a unique experience on the most famous Italian alpine pass.

Pordoi Pass

Location: Dolomites
Elevation: 2239m
Max. gradient: 15%
Distance: 12km
Giro d'Italia Cima Coppi editions: 14

Pordoi Pass Pordoi Pass

As the Cima Coppi of Giro d'Italia 2021, Pordoi Pass will be the main focus of stage 16 during the so-called Tappone Dolomitico - the biggest stage in the Dolomites. The peloton will tackle 3 big alpine passes: Fedaia Pass, Pordoi Pass and Giau Pass. Pordoi Pass was introduced to the race for the first time in 1940 and is now a historical climb of Italian cycling. That year the summit was conquered by a couple of well-known cyclists after a breakaway: Coppi and Bartali. Since then, it has been in the Mountains Classification of the course in 40 editions.

It's a popular destination without impossible gradients, unlike other famous Alpine climbs and crosses breathtaking landscapes. The road is the second highest surfaced road traversing a pass in the Dolomites and is included in the Granfondo Sellaronda and Maratona dles Dolomites.

Up the Pordoi Pass during the Giro d'Italia 2017 Up the Pordoi Pass during the Giro d'Italia 2017 | © Kramon Photo

The summit can be reached from two sides. The ascent from the Trentino side starts from Canazei and is 13km long with a total elevation gain of 789m and an average gradient of 6%. From Arabba, the climb is shorter (9.2km) and has less height gain (637m) but has steeper gradients of up to 10%. The paved road is quite wide and the bends are gentle until the last hairpin turns.

At the summit, in addition to the classic photo with the road sign, do not miss the memorial to “Champion of Champions” Fausto Coppi.

Gavia Pass

Location: Italian Alps, Bormio
Elevation: 2621m
Max. gradient: 16%
Distance: 17.3km
Pass opening times: May - October
Giro d'Italia Cima Coppi editions: 7

Gavia Pass Gavia Pass

One of the most popular destinations for cyclists, the Gavia has many records: it is the longest Alpine climb, with the highest elevation gain and reaches a considerable altitude.

The pass has been featured in 14 editions of the Giro d’Italia, though the organisers have often had to reroute the race due to bad weather conditions. In the 1988 Giro, the race passed over the Gavia in a snowstorm, making for an epic stage. The Gavia was designated the Cima Coppi in the 2019 Giro, when Richard Carapaz of Team Movistar won the overall general classification. The route was changed a couple of days before stage 16 due to the snow on the summit.

Known as the longest alpine climb it also has high gradients, especially on the Brescia side starting from Ponte di Legno. This section was only tarmacked in the nineties and it is popular among cyclists. The climb from Bormio has been used in one edition of the Giro so far. The Valtellina side is less steep but there are more kilometres to cover to reach the summit.

I have experienced great joy and deep sorrows on climbs. For this reason, a road is much more than just a strip of asphalt.

Dario Cataldo - Team Movistar

Colle dell'Agnello

Location: Hautes-Alpes (France), Province of Cuneo (Italy)
Elevation: 2744m
Max. gradient: 15%
Distance: 25km
Pass opening times: May - November
Giro d'Italia Cima Coppi editions: 4

José Joaquín Rojas (Movistar) up the snow-covered Colle dell'Agnello during the Giro d’Italia 2016 José Joaquín Rojas (Movistar) up the snow-covered Colle dell'Agnello during the Giro d’Italia 2016 | © Kramon Photo

Reaching the top of Colle dell'Agnello by bike is a rite of passage for every committed cyclist. It has the reputation of being one of the most exhausting passes in the entire Alps, and without a doubt it's a great personal challenge for many amateurs. It has been tackled four times at the Giro d'Italia; the most recent in 2016 was won by the shark himsel, Vincenzo Nibali. Since it is located at the Italy-France border, it also featured in two editions of the Tour de France.

Colle dell'Agnello is classified as a long alpine climb at 25km long and recommended only for experienced cyclists. The first 7km are not steep and feature several false flats. After Chianale, the hardest section rears its head for 9 km with an average gradient of 10% and peaks over 14%. From here it’s better to set a steady tempo until the summit. The effort is rewarded by far-reaching views of the French Alps and your arrival is marked by the classic road sign alongside the border sign and the ancient border stone.

For cyclists focused on performances, there is a timing system for the climb. Ready for the challenge?

Colle delle Finestre

Location: Italian Alps
Elevation: 2178m
Max. gradient: 14%
Distance: 18.6km
Pass opening times: June - November
Giro d'Italia Cima Coppi editions: 2

Up the gravel road of the Colle delle Finestre Up the gravel road of the Colle delle Finestre | © Kramon Photo

Colle delle Finestre is well-known as one of the hardest climbs in Europe after Zoncolan, Mortirolo and Angliru. The climb is 18.6 kilometres long at an average of 9.1% and a total elevation gain of almost 1700 metres. A further challenge to reach the top are the final unpaved eight kilometres. The riders of the Giro d'Italia had to tackle this "terrifying" ascent, as Gilberto Simoni defined it in 2005, four times.

The most frequented route, selected in the itinerary of the race course, is the one from Susa Valley. The first section has high gradients, constant in all the 33 hairpin turns. After leaving the asphalt, you’ll have to ride 8 km of dirt road. Here the surface is not always in good conditions and presents a high risk of punctures. You can ride your road bike up there, but this is the ideal terrain for a gravel bike. This category has now many options with light frames and builds, as our Grail CF SLX. These models are well suited for such challenges in mixed terrain conditions.

Bonus climbs: must-dos on your cycling bucket list

These two climbs are great classics of road cycling despite never having been designated as “Cima Coppi” for their relatively low altitude. Of course, we're talking about Mortirolo and Zoncolan. Loved and feared for their gradients of over 20%, they are a must on every brave road cyclist's bucket list.

Up the Mortirolo Pass during the Giro d'Italia 2015 Up the Mortirolo Pass during the Giro d'Italia 2015 | © Kramon Photo
Enrico Battaglin (Katusha-Alpecin) up the extremely wet Mortirolo during the 2019 Giro Enrico Battaglin (Katusha-Alpecin) up the extremely wet Mortirolo during the 2019 Giro | © Kramon Photo

The Mortirolo Pass is a mountain road that connects the province of Sondrio and Brescia in northern Italy. It’s one of the most demanding climbs in professional road bike racing, and it’s very popular thanks to its numerous inclusions in the Giro since 1990. The mountain pass can be climbed from three roads, although the one from Valtellina is the most famous for its steep gradients. The climb to the summit is 12.5 kilometres long with a total height gain of 1300m and maximum gradient being 23%.

Fans waiting for the riders to storm up the infamous Monte Zoncolan in 2018 Fans waiting for the riders to storm up the infamous Monte Zoncolan in 2018 | © Kramon Photo

Another legendary and leg-burning climb that has become popular thanks to the Giro is the one that leads to the top of Monte Zoncolan. A "short" (10.5 km) but really intense climb, the total elevation gain is 1210m with an average of 11.6% and maximum gradient of 22%. In the edition of the Giro d'Italia 2021, the riders will face the Zoncolan in the 14th stage arrival: you don't want to miss it!

Canyon on the Giro d'Italia Climbs

The 2019 Giro d'Italia winner Richard Carapaz on stage 20 The 2019 Giro d'Italia winner Richard Carapaz on stage 20 | © Kramon Photo

The most successful year for the team was in 2019 when Richard Carapaz won the general classification, Mikel Landa came 4th and Movistar Team won the General Super Team prize. In this edition, the Movistar team sprung into action in the great mountains of the Giro.

The Cima Coppi, initially planned on the Gavia, was cancelled due to the snow. The new Cima Coppi was Passo Manghen in stage 20. In the final kilometers of this stage, Landa and Carapaz caught the breakaway, but it wasn't enough to win the stage. Pello Bilbao crossed the line first in the last sprint and the Movistar duo finished second and fourth.

Have you got what it takes?

What do you need to do to reach the top of these great mountains? Some training, good friends, and strong willpower. Ready, steady, ride!

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