A year of excitement with Granfondo and Cycling Classics
2024 will be a year of cycling, great events and excitement. Each month will have many events for cycling enthusiasts who also like to engage in more or less competitive races, in challenges that are above all with
themselves.
We have collected here those that are now ‘classics’ among the events with bicycles, dedicating a month to each of them, appointments not to be missed either as participants or as spectators. In fact, each of these races offers not only the adrenalin rush of competition, but also the joy of sharing the challenge with so many others, not to mention the moments of conviviality made up of good food and sympathy that are always present.
And for those who still don’t know what Granfondo are, you should know that they are sporting events that can be either amateur or competitive in nature, and that are run over long distances. They range from 120 to 170 km on the road, while in mountain biking they vary from 40 to 60 km, and above 60 km they are called Marathons. In road races within the same event there may also be one or two shorter routes. There are many Granfondo races in Italy, usually on spectacular routes, and some have become so iconic that permanent routes have been made.
January L’Artica – 28th
On the white roads and trails of the Berici Hills in the province of Vicenza, this cycle race takes place on the days traditionally defined as ‘the coldest days of the year’. To warm up, there are two routes available: the classic 58 km route with 600 metres of altitude difference, and the short 25 km route on the flat, always within the Berici Hills park. Bicycles with gears prior to 1987 are recommended for cycling
Febraury Trofeo Laigueglia – 28th
On the route of the Ligurian race, now in its 61st edition, there are many short climbs; 113 km including 1,667 metres of ascent and 1,512 of descent, 500 metres of maximum altimetry. Colla Micheri will be the last
climb of a route that has no real plain, as is normally the case in the geography of the Ligurian territory. Three refreshments are planned in Onzo (km 45), Ligo (km 67), Testico (aperitif – km 84).
March Strade Bianche – 3rd
There are two routes with start and finish in Siena: the Gran Fondo of 142.5 km, of which 54.7 of gravel and a difference in altitude of 2,250 metres, and the Medio Fondo of 86.8 km, of which 21.6 of gravel and a difference in altitude of 1,350 metres. The Expo Village is organised alongside the event. The Granfondo, although devoid of long climbs, is very undulating and dotted with jumps, especially on dirt roads. The most difficult point is Monte Sante Marie with a gradient of over 15%.
April Nova Eroica Prosecco Hills – 28th
We are in the lands of Conegliano Valdobbiadene, and the race is divided into three routes: the short 54 km 850 m D+, the Via dei Castelli; the medium 90 km and 1,820 m D+, the Via delle Vigne Eroiche; and
the long, 120 km and 2,220 m D+, the Via dei Laghi. The long route touches Musile – Pieve di Soligo – Premaora – Valdobbiadene – Vidor -Follina – Cison di Valmarino – Revine – Tarzo – Vittorio Veneto – San Pietro di Felletto – Refrondolo and Susegana.
May Nove colli – 19th
We have arrived at the 53rd edition of this race where there are three possible distances to be covered: the 60 km with 650 metres of altitude difference, the 130 km with 1,871 metres of altitude difference, and the 194 km and 3,880 altitude difference. The latter, starting from Cesenatico, has its first effort and ascent at Bertinoro; the most demanding climb is 91 km and arrives at Barbotto; at the 130 km mark, the most demanding ascent is on Mount Pugliano, where 511 metres are climbed.
June Stelvio Santini – 2nd
You can choose between the short route of 69 km and 2,070 metres of altitude difference; the medium route of 137 km and 3,200 metres of altitude difference, and the long route of 157 km and 4,500 metres of altitude difference. The two most beautiful climbs are the Mortirolo, which starts in Sernio and is 11 km long, with an altitude difference of 1,200 metres and an average gradient of just over 10%; and the Stelvio, which starts in Bormio and arrives at 2,758 m. after 21 kilometres with a maximum gradient of 14%.
July Maratona dles Dolomites – 7th
One of the most popular races, so much so that pre-registration for the draw has already been closed for months. The longest route, the Maratona, with start and finish in Corvara is 138 km and 4,230 metres of
altitude difference, and passes the splendid scenery of Passo Campolongo, Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, Passo Gardena, Giau Pass, Falzarego Pass and Valparola Pass. The medium route is 106 km and 3,130 metres of altitude difference, and the Sella Route is 55 km and1,780 metres of altitude difference.
August La Vinaria – 20th
It takes place in the hills and inside and outside the walls of Lucca, in the hills of Matraia and Segromigno Monte, and in the territory of Capannori. It is not known whether the name derives from a wine event
in which wineries open their bottles to tastings, while others suggest that it is the route among the thousands of vineyards in the area that gave its name. There are two routes, the Divino of 43 kilometres and the Intrepido of 78, for those who are not afraid of climbs.
September 5mila Marche – 22nd
This event takes place over two days, on Saturday 21 there will be the Conero Gravel of 57 kilometres and 680 m D+; while on Sunday 22 there will be the two routes of the Granfondo 5mila lungo of 112 kilometres and 1,660 m D+ or the medium route of 82 kilometres and 1,220 m D+. Start and finish in Porto Recanati, an up-and-down route with some more challenging climbs: the longest is San Girio (3 km), the shorter ones in Montecassiano and Montefano; in Filotrano the “stepped” climb.
Otctober L’Eroica – 5th
The queen of cycle races!! First held in 1997, and it has grown steadily, with an incredible tourist industry for Chianti, the region where it takes place, but above all for Gaiole, the delightful village from which it starts. It winds for 209 km through villages and landscapes of incredible beauty, such as the Crete Senesi, Radda, and Montalcino. It has become a permanent route that can also be done independently throughout the year.
November
We report two appointments for the month of witches, the first on Halloween night, with the Hallowen Gravel Night, a cyclocross, e-bike, fat tire bike, and gravel bike event; the rally will be held in Lombardy starting from Brescia. On the weekend of 9 – 10 November, Upcycle Trail Weekend, dedicated to fans of adventures on two wheels, where they can meet friends, bike trail organisers, attend workshops, talks, and find out what’s new. On Sunday, meet up at Upcycle to set off on the three routes available, of 60 km, 100 km or 150 km.
December Christmas ride – 23rd
It takes place on the paths in the hills of Bassano del Grappa; a route of around 30 km, with a difference in altitude of around 270 metres, the ride is within everyone’s reach, for those who are trained and for those
who use the bicycle as a fun pastime. A circular route through the Bassano hills and its dirt tracks
