The South Tyrolean dolomites region around the Kronplatz offers top-class cycling events year after year - from road bikes to mountain bikes, from extreme marathons to vintage bike races, there is something for everyone here! The Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site sets the pace in summer and winter - the events are accordingly majestic, steep and unique!
175 km - 7 Dolomite passes - 8,000 participants: The Maratona dles Dolomites is considered the biggest racing bike event in the Dolomites and has long had cult status. Every year around 25,000 road bike fans apply for a starting place in Alta Badia - but for safety reasons only 8,000 amateurs get one of the coveted places. They have to master three routes in the midst of the UNESCO World Heritage Site - including the legendary Giro d'Italia stage route from 2016 - and write their own personal Giro history:
1. Maratona dles Dolomites: 138km, 4.190 hm
2. Middle Course: 106km, 3.090 hm
3. Sellaronda Course: 55km, 1.780 hm
An absolute classic! The Lienz Dolomite Cycling Tour, the classic tour around the Lienz Dolomites, demands a lot from the participants for 112 km and 1,860 metres of altitude. Since the 27th edition, however, you can also take on the extreme variant "SuperGiroDolomiti": Here, the challenge is a whopping 228 km and 5,450 metres of altitude.
A fixed point for road cyclists and mountain bikers is the annual Sellaronda Bike Day - one of the most popular cycling events in the Dolomites. 20,000 participants, 63 km, 1780 metres in altitude, 4 Dolomite passes - without any annoying car and motorbike traffic and without the pressure of competition. On this day, the Gardena Pass, Campolongo, Pordoi Pass and Sella Pass belong exclusively to the cyclists - whether on thin or wide wheels, on a child's bike or on a tandem. The participants of the Bike Festival can get on their bikes in various places: in Corvara, Colfosco, Arabba, Selva, Ortisei and S. Cristina. And if they have enough strength in their legs, cycle up to 2,240 metres above sea level.
The Dolomites Bike Day can be regarded as the little brother of the Sellaronda Bike Day, but is still one of the most popular cycling events in the Dolomites. The Falzarego Pass, the Valparola Pass and the Campolongo Pass are closed to traffic on this bike day around the Lagazuoi mountain - and thus for a car-free pass ride through the Dolomites. The 51 km route leads through the unique Ladin valleys of the Badia Valley, Livinallongo and Ampezzo.
The renowned vintage event Eroica Dolomiti attracts cyclists to San Candido. The stylish and iconic homage to road cycling in the old days is contested with original vintage racing bikes and wonderfully nostalgic historical jerseys. The racing bikes must be at least 30 years old and still be able to master the demanding gravel roads and asphalt roads through Hochpustertal. The vintage cyclists have to cover one of three distances: from 73 km to 118 km. The unique supporting programme is part of the spectacle, which some international and prominent participants will not want to miss.
The Dolomiti Superbike in Hochpustertal has also long had its fan base - as has the Stelviobike - the car-free cycling day on the Stelvio Pass, which involves a breath-taking 48 hairpin bends and 1,869 m of altitude.
And, are you curious about the bike events around Olang?