The 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia, 226 km long and with over 5,000 m vertical altitude gain, is considered probably the most demanding and fascinating stage of the competition with the climbs of the Gavia Pass and of the Mortirolo Pass.
Lovere - Ponte di Legno: technical info
Starting uphill from Lovere to Rovetta, the route takes in climbs to Passo della Presolana and Passo della Croce di Salven, leading to Val Camonica. After reaching Edolo, the route turns towards Passo del Tonale and takes a first pass over the finish in Ponte di Legno. After cresting Passo Gavia (2618 m – Cima Coppi) along the “traditional” side, the route drops down into Bormio and further down to Mazzo (through the upper Valtellina), clearing the Mortirolo from the “conventional” side, with max. 18% gradients. After dropping into Monno, the route goes up again with shallow average gradients (3-4%) for the final 15 km, all the way to the finish.
The final kilometres in urban Ponte di Legno are played out on narrower roads, with many 90-degree bends leading into wider avenues, heading for the finish. The home straight (300 m) is on 6 m wide asphalt road.
Visit the official website
