This 3rd stage brings us to the foot of the Marmolada, which at 3,343 meters is the only remaining glaciated summit in the Dolomites. The stage starts in Ponte Gardena/Waidbruck and leads into the Val Gardena Valley. The ascent to the Gardena Pass, the crossing into the Alta Badia Valley, begins in Selva Gardena. From Corvara, you switch over the Campolongo Pass into Livinallongo. In Pieve di Livinallongo, you first turn into the Cordevole Valley, then at Savinèr de Laste toward Rocca Pietore, where the eastern ascent to the Fedaia Pass begins. The timed race starts in Sottoguda; the first 3 km up to Malga Ciapela are still quite manageable, but then begins the dreaded 2.5 km ramp with gradients between 10% and 15%. Once you reach the switchbacks, there are still 2 km left to the Fedaia Pass. Right behind the finish arch, everything is set up for lunch, allowing you to regain your strength in the shadow of the Marmolada. Re-energized, you descend into the Val di Fassa toward Canazei, from where you tackle the climb to the Sella Pass. Once there, it’s all downhill back into the Val Gardena Valely and on to the end of the stage in Ponte Gardena/Waidbruck.