Journey: On the 16th stage of the Giro 2015, Contador, Aru and Co. struggle over the steep Mortirolo. Thousands of amateur athletes do the same every year. A tour tip.
When the Giro d'Italia comes, archaic scenes take place on the Mortirolo: drivers who drive to the limit on the narrow, steep mountain road, their faces twisted into grimaces in pain, tifosi who run wildly next to their idols and cheer them on, cars or motorcycles that break down and block the way. Since 1990, the Mortirolo has repeatedly provided the stage for bitter duels, spectacular victories and great dramas at the Giro. And year after year, thousands of amateur athletes make a pilgrimage to this special mountain to see it with their own eyes, to experience it with their own muscles, to fight with their own pain. If you want to ride a true royal stage in the footsteps of the Giro d'Italia, you can add the Passo di Gavia in the east to the steep Mortirolo and thus get to a nearly 120-kilometer-long circuit with an altitude difference of 3.200 meters.
In Pantani's footsteps on the Mortirolo
A possible starting point is the famous ski resort of Bormio. From there it is a relaxed about 25 kilometers downhill in the direction of Tirano. In Mazzo di Valtellina, turn left and begin the ascent to Mortirolo. It is 12 kilometers and 1.300 meters in altitude to the top of the pass. That results in an average incline of over 10 percent! Ramps of 18 percent are not uncommon, at one point you have to push away 400 percent for 16 meters. Initially, passages through meadows and open spaces allow beautiful views of the valley, but most of the time you drive through dense forest and are alone with yourself and the steep road.
Reading the names and cheers on the good tarmac brings back memories of the great riders who have ridden this narrow road before. Marco Pantani's attack at the Giro d'Italia in 1994, when he eluded Jewgenij Berzin, Miguel Indurain and Claudio Chiappucci and was more than three minutes ahead of his pursuers at the Aprica stage finish, is unforgettable. Since 2006, a memorial five kilometers below the pass has commemorated the young climber who died young. At the Giro, the rider who crosses the Mortirolo first will also be awarded the special prize Cima Pantani .
As soon as you leave the forest, the very worst is over. It's still about two kilometers to the top of the pass, but the incline decreases a bit. The transition at 1.854 meters is unspectacular and is actually called Passo della Foppa. Caution is advised on the narrow, steep and very winding descent to Monno in the upper part. Alternatively, it is advisable to turn right at the top of the pass onto a ridge road that offers spectacular views of the Veltlin to the right and the glaciated mountains of the Adamello massif to the left. A bumpy road takes you to Aprica and you can continue the tour from there in the direction of Gavia, but you have to plan about 35 kilometers more.
The Passo di Gavia as an encore
The national road stretches slightly uphill for about 20 kilometers to Ponte di Legno – the starting point for the Gavia. You should take the opportunity and eat well, because with the Passo di Gavia a very big chunk awaits. The south side in particular is one of the most beautiful – and toughest – climbs in the entire Alpine region. There are almost 18 vertical meters to be climbed over 1.400 kilometers. The first of these are collected behind Ponte di Legno, initially on a wide road. Things get spectacular shortly after the Albergo Pietra Rossa: the road gets so narrow that there is only room for one car, and a long, 16 percent steep straight gets in the way. Then the road winds its way up the mountain in numerous serpentines on the right side of the valley. Again and again there are views of the Valle delle Messi, of the asphalt strip below and the surrounding mountain giants.
The gradient levels off between 8 and 10 percent, the road now always leads along the mountain flank, the asphalt changes from smooth to rough. An approximately 800 meter long, dark tunnel requires you to take a rear light with you. A view of a mountain lake soon opens up on the left, Lago Nero. In addition to the incline, the postcard panorama takes your breath away at this point at the latest. If the Giro d'Italia leads over the Gavia, numerous Tifosi gather in the following serpentines, because from there you can see the road for several kilometers in addition to the mountain panorama. The Rifugio Bonetta finally announces that you have reached the top of the pass at 2.621 meters - in the middle of an impressive rocky landscape with another mountain lake.
On the descent, you initially have to contend with poor road conditions. Further down, the switchbacks to Santa Caterina and the following high-speed passage on a wide road to Bormio become a pleasure. Once there, the circle closes, and one thing is certain: this round will not let you go so quickly - for cold winter days and monotonous training in home areas you have collected countless impressions.
Tip
If you stay in Bormio, you can undertake further mountain pass tours from there, for example over the legendary Stelvio Pass or Foscagno, Eira, Ofenpass and Umbrail. Edolo in the south is also a good starting point. Here the beautiful Passo del Vivione is ideal for another tour.
Anyone who wants to take on the Mortirolo-Gavia lap in a race for everyone is at the Gran Fondo Internazionale La Campionissimo correct. On June 28, 2015, the route starts at Aprica via Gavia, the Mortirolo, the Kammstraße and optionally the Passo Santa Cristina. The longest lap is 175 kilometers with 4.500 meters of altitude difference.
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