Touch down in Venice. We’ll be waiting to take you to your hotel if you book airport transfer with us. Check in, relax and make full use of the spa. Apperitivos are served tonight in the wine cellar, followed by dinner.
Today you can spin your legs and check your bike is problem-free. You can also pick up your registration pack and race number from the organisers village.
Guided rides are available for both hosted and non-hosted clients. We cycle on the Sella Ronda route: 52 km of the most awe-inspiring cycling you’ll ever experience. The ride takes place in the Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella and Gardena climbs. 52 km long with 1800 m of climbing, it will set you up nicely for the big event, with no gradient more treacherous than 7%.
If you’d prefer to take it easy, we suggest simply riding the short journey to registration and back.
It’s the day before the race. You can join our guided ride if you’d like to test your legs, but we recommend resting up. If you do choose to cycle, the ride will start from Corvara, climb and then descend the Gardena from both sides. We’ll stop for a coffee at the top of the Gardena pass, so you can climb just one side and descend if you’d prefer.
It’s an early start this morning. Breakfast is served from roughly 5.15 am, and you must be in your start pen by 6.15 am (15 minutes before the race begins). If you’re not in the pen 15 minutes before the start, the organisers will direct you to the back pen.
Roads are closed to traffic, so the plan is to freewheel from the hotel to the race start.
All riders make their way round the Sella Ronda, and you can choose your distance on the day. Unless you’re riding the short route, you’ll ride down through Arabba towards Andraz. If you’d like the 106 km route, simply turn left at the clearly sign-posted intersection, or hop over the brow of the hill to continue down to the Passo Giau and the full 138 km distance.
At the end of the race, we’ll be waiting for you in the Love Velo gazebo by the finish line. Enjoy a cold beer, take the weight off your legs and relax with us before grabbing a pizza at the Taverna or going back to the hotel for a shower. You did it!
Check out and catch our transfer back to Venice. Just ask us for transfer times.
The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making them a unique and spectacular cycling backdrop. There are no flat landscapes in the Dolomites, you’re either pushing hard up the climbs or revelling in thrilling descents.
Entering its 37th year, the Maratona dles Dolomites – Enel is unlike any other sportive in Europe. Starting pens are superbly organised and as soon as you start riding, you will see why this cycling event is so revered. Spectators line the towns as helicopters buzz overhead, capturing the elite race for Italian sports channels. Locals offer you cakes, pastries and coffees at the roadside as cow bells and Tyrolean whips echo throughout the valleys.
The climbs themselves are magnificent. With most of them averaging relatively shallow gradients, you can really get into a rhythm. Other than the Passo Giau, no climb is too difficult. The descents are thrilling and the views over the rugged Dolomites offer some of the most panoramic views in Europe. Our favourite climb is the Falzarego, which showcases incredible views across the valley below. Fans of descending will enjoy the awesome 10 km freewheel from Arabba to Cernadoi.
