The Maratona is known as Italy’s most beautiful sportive and with a backdrop of snow capped peaks the Maratona dles Dolomites 2013 did not disappoint!
Our Tour Report looks back on a great week from the perspective of our Guides, if you are thinking of joining us for the Maratona dles Dolomites then do read this in depth Guest Review of the trip too.
Day 1 – Passo Gardena
- Distance: 20km
- Elevation Gain: +550m
- Climbs: Passo Gardena (2,121m)
Our first Maratona dles Dolomites 2013 guests from Ireland arrived early in Italy allowing us to enjoy a quick sunset ride up the Passo Gardena.
The boys weren’t expecting to see snow on the top nor the Italy ladies cross country ski squad training on roller skis!
Check out more photos in our Day 1 Facebook Album.
Day 2 – Passo Gardena and Campolongo – Falzarego – Valparola Loop
- Distance: Group 1 2okm & Group 2 50km
- Elevation Gain: +550m and +1,350m
- Climbs: Group 1 Gardena (2,121m) and Group 2 Campolongo (1,875m) – Falzarego (2,117m) – Valparola (2,200m)
On Day 1 proper guests arrived from around the world – all drawn in by the lure of completing the Maratona dles Dolomites. Whilst the Irish lads headed out to tackle the Valparola (2,200m) our new arrivals revelled in the chance to rise in the Dolomites for the first time on the Passo Gardena:
The feeling of researching cycling holidays, booking your trip, training and then actually being there riding the climbs you’ve read so much about? Priceless!
Check out more photos in our Day 2 Facebook Album.
Day 3 – Marmolada Loop
- Distance: 85km
- Elevation Gain: 2,700m
- Climbs: Campolongo (1,875m) – Pordoi (2,239m) – Fedaia (2,057m) – Campolongo (1,875m)
With all our guests now welcomed into the Brevet Cycling Club we set off for the famous Marmolada circuit, the highlight of which is seeing the Marmolada massif from the Passo Fedaia (2,057m).
But before we hit the Fedaia we had the chance to get to know a key Maratona climb, the Passo Campolongo (1,875m) – you’ll climb this twice on race day if you choose to ride with Brevet at the Maratona dles Dolomites:
Next up after the fast and furious descent off the back of the Campolongo is the Passo Pordoi, a climb Brevet Guest Jen describes as her favourite in the world:
The road approaching the Marmolada was smooth and quiet as the riders climbed up the Passo Fedaia through pristine pine forests:
Check out more photos in our Day 3 Facebook Album.
Day 4 – Alta Badia Valley Loop
- Distance: 60km
- Elevation Gain: 887m
On Day 4 we woke to snow on the ground outside our perfectly hotel in Corvara (just 2oom from the finish line).
At Brevet we don’t bring in guides from around the world who don’t know the area, our guides live and work in the mountains year round and on days like this it makes a huge difference for our guests.
Using guides with in depth local knowledge allowed us to reschedule from a planned tour of the Sella Ronda, whose passes were snowbound, to taking in a lower altitude route through the backroads of the Alta Badia valley:
Check out more photos in our Day 4 Facebook Album.
Day 5 – Rest Day
- Distance: 30km
- Elevation Gain: +600m
- Climbs: Passo Campolongo (1,875m)
On the day before the 2013 Maratona dles Dolomites some guest relaxed with a yoga session in our hotel and others took a chance to spin up the Campolongo in perfect conditions.
After signing on at the Race Village our guests enjoyed a private pasta party and screening of the Lions Test!
Check out more photos in our Day 5 Facebook Album.
Day 6 – Maratona dles Dolomites
- Distance: 138km
- Elevation Gain: +4,190m
- Climbs:
After days of the nerves building there was no more time to study the detailed Brevet Road Book!
The snow that had threatened so ominously just days before now served to make this one of the most beautiful editions of the Maratona ever – with snow capped peaks forming the backdrop to the riders as we climbed the Passo Pordoi.
All our guests completed their Maratona challenge successfully and celebrated with cold beers back at the Brevet ClubHouse by the finish line!
Check out more photos in our Day 6 Facebook Album.
Thank You!
A big thank you to all our guests on our Maratona dles Dolomites Cycling Holiday!