26/05/2024 08:00
Cycling race, passing through Val di Fassa, which has thousands of cyclists ready to conquer, one after the other, the famous Dolomite passes of Costalunga, Pampeago, San Pellegrino and Valles
The first race of the season is never forgotten, especially when competitors and fans are called upon to race on the pedals in the spring splendour of the Dolomite valleys. Sunday 26 May sees the start of the sixteenth edition of the Marcialonga Cycling Craft with around 1500 athletes representing some fifteen nations. The road bike version of the well-known cross-country race offers two routes: a "granfondo" with 135 km and 3,900 m of altitude difference, and a "mediofondo" with 80 km and 2,488 m of altitude difference.
From Predazzo, where the start, finish and Expo Village are located, the riders will immediately have to tackle the demanding climbs of the Costalunga Pass (maximum gradient 9.9%), Pampeago (maximum gradient 14.5%), San Pellegrino (maximum gradient 14%) and Valles (maximum gradient 16%), on the borders of the provinces of Bolzano and Belluno. The start is scheduled at 8 a.m. from the square "SS. Filippo e Giacomo", in the town centre. Among the participants, there are also many Nordic skiing talents and runners who have already made a name for themselves in the Marcialonga and Marcialonga Running races. Instead, the Minimarcialonga, the race organised on Saturday afternoon, 25 May, along the streets of Predazzo on an obstacle course, is dedicated to young bikers.
The Cycling is the second, in chronological order, big event of the Marcialonga brand, after the iconic event on narrow skis at the end of January. Also this year, it is reconfirmed as an iconic stage within the prestigious Alè Challenge and Nalini Road Series circuits.
