Today for the Giro d’Italia kicks off the Tre Cime di Lavaredo mountain stage, a stage that could prove decisive, before tomorrow’s time trial in Tarvisio (Udine) and Sunday’s final circuit in Rome.
Departure from Longarone at 11:50 a.m., 60 years after the Vajont tragedy, which claimed nearly 2,000 lives in October 1963.
It will be a dolomitic tappone this year, almost all in the Belluno area, with passages in Alto Adige, and arrival at the legendary Tre Cime di Lavaredo: a hellish fraction with 5,400 meters of elevation gain and five rough patches.
As many as five climbs in succession are scheduled today.
After the start from Longarone, you quickly arrive in Ponte nella Alpi, on Alemagna state road 50, then turn right toward Belluno, skirt the city and proceed to Agordino on state road 203, through the wild and fascinating Cordevole valley, then through Agordo and Alleghe.
From here the first tough climb to Livinallongo, Arabba and the Campolongo pass, trespassing at the summit in Alto Adige, then passing through the Badia valley, ascending to the Valparola pass and returning to the Belluno area.
The Falzarego Pass will be descended on the Agordino side, then up the tough Giau Pass, which will take the cyclists back to the Ampezzano area, for the nosedive to Cortina, the ascent from here to the Tre Croci Pass, and finally the conlusive ascent to the Auronzo Refuge, at the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
The roads are all in excellent condition fairly wide and have a couple of well-lit tunnels in the first part.
You face climbs characterized by numerous hairpin bends and moderately fast and challenging descents. The last climb has peaks of 18%; the finish is scheduled between 4:30 and 5:30 pm.
