The Marco Pantani Corto

Our weekend package to the Granfondo Marco Pantani is not only a pilgrimage to two of Europe's toughest and infamous climbs but also a chance to follow in the wheel tracks of one of cycling's best ever climbers and sample the hunting ground that brought Pantani some of his greatest wins. Our three nights package, based in the start town of Aprica, will give you all the support you need to give you the best chance of completing this amazing event.

Starting in Aprica, the Granfondo Marco Pantani gives you the chance to test yourself against two of the World's toughest climbs. The Mortirolo is rated by Lance Armstrong as the hardest climb he has ever done climbing 1300m in 12.5km and featuring sections upto 18%.

"It's a terrible climb...on the hardest parts, I was riding a 39x27 and I was hurting, really hurting. (Mortirolo) is the hardest climb I've ever ridden" LA

The Pantani memorial is suitably located at the toughest part of the climb and for many is a suitable reason to take a rest and pay hommage the great climber.

Also on the menu is the Passo Gavia, a 17km beast which seems to climb to the top of the World with the summit at over 2600m! This climb featured heavily in the 1998 Giro d'Italia win of Andy Hampsten where he endured inhumane wintry conditions to finish the stage ahead of his rivals for the overall classification.

The Gavia in the words of Andy Hampsten

"About 7km from the summit, the rain turned to snow. But the road wasn't freezing, and there were no traction problems. The gravel was actually not a bad surface to ride on, and I was used to these sorts of unmade roads from riding in the mountains in Colorado. At one point, I looked down at my legs and they were bright red and there was icy slush sticking to my shins.

"As I neared the top, I wanted to put my wool hat on. I thought I'd dry my hair a little first, so I swept my hand through my hair and this big snowball rolled down my back. I knew I was cold, but then I realised how cold it was – I was riding at about 95% but I wasn't producing enough heat to melt the snow on my head.

"About a kilometre from the top, it was getting windy and it was below freezing, so I started to put on my jacket. I was riding really slowly trying to get it on. It took me a while, and that's when Erik Breukink caught me. I'd probably have done better to have stopped and put it on, but you know how it is – you're a pro cyclist and you're not going to stop for something like that.

"Incredibly, there were spectators up there in this snowstorm. And although they're really cold, they're going out of their minds with enthusiasm when they see us – they can hardly believe anyone's cycling in these conditions. It was something special, having them cheer us.

"I never saw Johan van der Velde, who was the last survivor of the breakaway and had crossed the top about a minute ahead. He stopped at one of the refuges about a kilometre on the other side and waited. All he had on was a cotton cap and rain cape – he needed first aid from his team car and eventually finished about 47 minutes down."

Words courtesy of Rouleur www.rouleur.cc

La Fuga reccied the route of the Granfondo Pantani with Cyclefilm. Read more here >>
Watch a clip here >>

Route Statistics

Granfondo course: 172km (4000m climbing)
Mediofondo course: 152km (3400m climbing)
Percorso corto: 65km (1200m climbing)

Passo Gavia
Height: 2621m
Length: 17.3km

Passo Mortirolo
Height: 1852m
Length: 12.3km

Santa Christina
Height: 1427m
Length: 6.5km

Passo Mortirolo

Passo Gavia

What's Included

Four Star Accommodation (Single occupancy double room)
All breakfasts and evening meals at the hotels and restaurants
Airport transfer and travel to and from race
Experienced guide and dedicated support car on each ride
Complimentary Energy Drink and Bars
La Fuga Welcome Pack
Cyclefilm Granfondo pantani Reconnaissance DVD
Race Registration

What’s Not

Flights
Lunchtime meals
Travel Insurance
Alcoholic Drinks
Incidental Expense

The Knowledge

• Event: Granfondo Marco Pantani
• Airport: Milan Malpensa / Milan Linate
• Accommodation: 3 nights at 4* Hotel (single occupancy double room)
• Price: £750 (single occupancy)

The Marco Pantani Corto

Friday

Arrival at Milan Linate / Malpensa Airport. Transfer by minibus to our base in Aprica.

Saturday

Your bike will be unpacked and ready to go. We will enjoy a gentle spin around Aprica. The aim is to spin the legs and loosen things up for the challenge tomorrow. Lunch will be had at a cafe en route. On our way back to the hotel we will visit the race village, pick up race numbers and sample the pre-race atmosphere. The rest of the afternoon will be free to relax and make final preparations for tomorrow. Your bike will receive a final check over from our mechanic and your race number fitted.

Sunday

The Big Day! The hotel will serve a breakfast suitable for the day's activities with generous helpings of pasta. We will then ride to the race start and arrive with enough time to grab a pre-race espresso or two. Your guide will be on hand to pass on some last minute words of wisdom and escort you to the starting pen. After a tough (and hopefully enjoyable) race, we'll meet you at the finish with some cold drinks and congratulations. Afterwards we'll hit the pasta party for some serious refuelling and a chance to check the results board. After a refreshing shower and maybe a power nap back at the hotel, we will venture into Aprica and rewards our efforts of the day with some great food and drink.

Monday

A day to relax and enjoy your last few hours in Italy. Your bike will be packed up ready for your flight home. Our minibus will take the short distance to Milan Malpensa or Milan Linate Airport.

The Marco Pantani Corto