Our 2020 Giro d'Italia adventure sees us join the tour in time for the Stage 14 Individual Time Trial on Saturday May 23, and follows the tour through Northern Italy to the finale in Milan on Sunday May 31.
Itinerary
Before you leave Australia, you will receive a full itinerary with each days description. You will also receive your full Mitchelton Scott team issue cycling kit including riding jersey, bib knicks, overjacket, wind vest, arm warmers, leg warmers, socks. Official Giro race books.
Friday May 22 - ARRIVAL - Venice
Your trip starts at the beautiful Villa Cipriani on Friday May 22. I suggest you fly into Venice where we will pick you up and drive to one of the most amazing Hotels in Europe “Villa Cipriani” Asolo, where you will spend the next five nights. Of course you can make your own way to the Hotel if that suits you travel plans.
Saturday May 23 - STAGE 14 - 33.7km INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL
CONEGLIANO > VALDOBBIADENE (Prosecco Superiore Wine Stage)
This time trial is raced entirely in the terroir of Prosecco Superiore, currently a Unesco World Heritage Site. The route features a continuous succession of climbs and descents, with challenging gradients at points (touching 19% at the Muro di Ca’ del Poggio).
Sunday May 24 - STAGE 15 - 40km MOUNTAIN STAGE
BASE AREA RIVOLTO (Frecce Tricolori) > PIANCAVALLO
This mountain stage begins flat for 40 km, starting from the Air Base of the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team. Then, a nearly uninterrupted succession of climbs and descents leads all the way to the foot of the final ascent of Piancavallo. The steepest gradients are found over the first 6 km, with peaks of 14%, then the climb remains challenging up to the final kilometre.
It is 1h 30m drive to stage start and about the same time return to our hotel.
Go in the hills above Bassano and eat at the historic La Rosina Restaurant established in 1917. Gaetano, the owner, is a cycling fanatic and has built an amazing cycling church / museum next to the restaurant. All the greats have eaten there and he gives a great welcome.
Monday May 25 - REST DAY - Udine
Rest day in Udine. We join the team at their hotel and meet all the staff and watch them at work. A great opportunity to check out the team bus and team truck. Have lunch with Whitey and a quick hello with the riders. Option to ride to or from our hotel (150km)
Tuesday May 26 - STAGE 16 - 228km HILL STAGE
UDINE > SAN DANIELE DEL FRIULI
The stage route unfolds for two thirds across the Julian Prealps, and then enters the valley of the Tagliamento river. The riders will climb up the Madonnina del Domm (very popular among local amateurs) and up the northern slope of the Castelmonte Abbey hill (Monte Spig). After passing through Monteaperta and reaching San Daniele, the peloton will cover two laps of a technical circuit, taking in steep ramps leading to the castle of Susans (15%) and to Monte Ragogna (16%). Past the final kilometre, the route homes in on a constant incline.
It's 1h 50m drive to stage start in Udine and 1h 40m return.
Wednesday May 27 - STAGE 17 - 202km MOUNTAIN STAGE
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA > MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO
An unrelenting mountain stage with over 5,000 m vertical altitude gain in just a few major climbs, linked without pause for breath. The riders will climb up Forcella Valbona (a first-ever pass) and up Monte Bondone, coming from Aldeno (another first), with gradients over 10% in the second part of the ascent. After clearing the Passo Durone, the peloton will eventually tackle the closing climb to Madonna di Campiglio.
Our accommodation is in Bormio – 140 km and 2h.30 drive from finish. It’s worth the effort to get two nights at the beautiful QC Terme di Bagni Bormio.
Thursday May 28 - STAGE 18 - 209km MOUNTAIN STAGE
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA > MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO (Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio)
Today we let the Giro come to us. Your chance to ride the iconic Stelvio pass, one of Italy’s most challenging mountains.
A colossal Alpine stage with 5,400 m vertical altitude gain in as little as four climbs. The route starts uphill on Passo Campo Carlo Magno, takes a first-ever pass on the recently-opened Passo Castrin/Hofmandjoch and enters the Val d'Ultimo for the first time. After leaving the Vinschgau Valley, the route tackles the Stelvio from the hardest side and, immediately afterwards, takes in the final climb leading to the Laghi di Cancano with 21 hairpins along the mountainside (the so-called “scale di Fraele”).
The finish is in the National Park of the Stelvio.
Friday May 29 - STAGE 19 - 251km FLAT STAGE
MORBEGNO > ASTI
Stage 19 is a day for the sprinters. We are staying in the exquisite Sant’Uffizio in Asti for the next two nights.
At 251 kilometres, the longest stage of the Giro runs along the western side of Lake Como and crosses the Po Valley, all the way to the undulations of the province of Alessandria. The stage is likely to finish in a bunch sprint, unless a break succeeds.
Saturday May 30 - STAGE 20 - 200km MOUNTAIN STAGE
ALBA > SESTRIERE
A colossal Alpine stage with 5,000m vertical altitude gain, crossing over to France. The riders will pass Colle dell'Agnello, Col d'Izoard and Monginevro, before the final climb up to Sestriere. According to many, this is a modern reinterpretation of the legendary Cuneo-Pinerolo.
Post-race we return to Sant’Uffizio in Asti
Sunday May 31 - STAGE 21 - 16.5km INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL & FINALE
CERNUSCO SUL NAVIGLIO > MILANO
An individual time trial raced on wide, pan-flat (or slightly downhill) avenues, and homing in on Piazza Duomo, with a “classic” finale in the city that gave birth to the Giro.
Monday June 1 - DEPARTURE - MILANO
With the Giro d'Italia over with for another year, our tour concludes, and you can depart from Milano or continue your travels independently around Italy.