This tour offers an amazing variety of scenery with a minimum number of hotel changes and van transfers. Cycle through the sites of the 2006 Winter Olympics: Sestriere, Cesana Torinese and Susa, and ride some of the legendary climbs of the Tour de France: the Col de Galibier, Monginevre, Col de Telegraph and Col de L’Izoard. Beginning in Lake Garda, tour around the most beautiful lake in Italy and the valleys above, through the world famous Valpolicella and Bardolino vineyards.
We transfer by van to Cesana in the Piemonte region, cycling through Bardonecchia and Clavier. From Cesana we ride to France and climb the famous passes of Tour d’France. Returning to Italy over the Moncenisio Pass. We
participate in a local race dedicated to Damiano Cunego. This tour will be an unbelievable experience, the perfect combination of exciting vacation and unique training opportunity.
Cost: U.S. $3,800/Euro 2,700,
includes:
Single Room Supplement for all tours: U.S. $500 (subject to availability)
Prices are based on exchange rates in effect at time of publication. We reserve the right to add a surcharge should the U.S. dollar lose substantial value against the Euro. Please contact us for details.
Day 1: Thursday May 29
Leave USA – overnight flight (we provide assistance for flight reservation)
Day 2 : Friday May 30
Pick up at the Verona airport and drive to our base hotel near the beautiful Lake Garda where we will be spending 3 nights.
After settling into our base hotel we will go for a warm-up ride in the Verona valley.- 40 km
Dinner and overnight at our hotel
Day 3: Saturday May 31
From our hotel you will ride through the Bardolino and Valpolicella wineries– 80 km
Visit Verona in the afternoon with dinner in downtown Verona
Overnight at our base hotel
Day 4: Sunday June 1
From our hotel we will ride through 3 lakes (Garda, Idro and Ledra)- 160 km Loop.
Dinner and overnight at our base hotel.
Day 5: Monday June 2
Van transfer from our base hotel to Cesana Torinese in the heart of the Olympic Alps where we will stay for 3 nights.
Warm-up ride - Loop of the Sestriere – 40 km
Day 6: Tuesday June 3
Today you will climb the "history", the legendary Col de l’Izoard from Briancon – 90 km loop. The views are astonishing and the last 2 km to the top will stay in your memory for ever.
Dinner and overnight in Cesana Torinese
Day 7: Wednesday June 4
Loop del Monginevro – Our 85 km loop is very scenic but less climbing than yesterday. From our hotel in Cesana we will climb the Monginevro up to the town of Clavier, cross the Italian border and descend to Briancon. You will ride through the peaceful valley of La Pres and climb only 2 km to the top of Col de l’Echelle and enjoy the stunning descent to the town of Bardonecchia that hosted the Super G competition during the 2006 Winter Olympics. Finally we will roll back to Cesana.
Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Cesana
Day 8: Thursday June 5
BIG DAY: 4 legendary passes - 117 km distance. Today we will leave our hotel and we will climb Moginevre, descend to Briancon, climb the Col de Lautaret, Col de Galibier and Col de Telegraph.
Dinner and overnight in the French town of Lanslebourg
Day 9 : Friday June 6
An easier day – almost all downhill - 90 km with 10 km climb from Lanslebourg to the top of Moncenisio, then an 18 km descent to Susa, finishing with an almost 40 km descent to Avignana.
Dinner and overnight in the Avignana area.
Day 10 : Saturday June 7
Transfer day: 3-4 hour van transfer back to our base hotel near Lake Garda.
Leisurely afternoon by the pool before the race tomorrow or an easy short ride along the lake
Carbo-load dinner and overnight at our base hotel
Day 11: Sunday June 8
Participation to local race Gran Fondo Cunego: 90 or 145 km
Back to our hotel – pack the bikes
Farewell dinner and overnight at our base hotel |
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Day 12: Monday June 9
Arrivederci Italia - Drive to Verona Airport and catch your flight back to USA.
If you like to extend your visit of Italy – we provide personalized travel
assistance (call Luisa or e-mail us: tours@davanticycling.com)
