SHORT STAGE DESCRIPTION

This year’s queen stage leads to the Pale di San Martino, which, covering an area of 240 km², is the largest massif in the Dolomites. From Predazzo (Trentino region)  in the Fiemme Valley, the route takes you on a leisurely ride into the Travignolo Valley. In Bellamonte, the time trial to Passo Rolle begins. On a road closed to traffic, you ride along Lago di Paneveggio to the village of Paneveggio. There, the 6 km climb to Passo Rolle begins, with 390 meters of elevation gain to conquer. After the obligatory refreshment stop, you cycle back to Paneveggio and then continue to Passo Valles. The winding descent to Falcade, the main town in the Biois Valley, is smooth and flowing. The ascent to Passo San Pellegrino, the final climb of the day, demands strength and endurance, as it involves a 760-meter elevation gain. From the top of the pass, the peaks of the Civetta Group can be seen in the distance. To the left, you can spot the cable car to Col Margherita and the La Volata downhill course, where the Women’s World Cup races are held. From here, we cross from Belluno into Trentino — once the border between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy before 1918. Finally, we roll through the San Pellegrino Valley to Moena, where a well-deserved lunch awaits. Full and satisfied, we cover the last few kilometers to Predazzo along the Dolomite Road.