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TOMORROW'S STAGE
Stage 16 – Bressanone (Brixen) - Andalo – 132km
The stage is short, yet features long climbs and descents. Over the first 40km, the route runs initially downhill (although the road is deceptively flat) until past Bolzano (intermediate sprint). Here, after clearing the Mendel Pass climb, the road takes a long, undulating descent leading to the foot of the final ascent. The climb is in two parts, the first leading to Fai della Paganella (categorised climb), and the second running all the way up to the finish. 200m before the summit, in the urban area of Fai della Paganella, the climb gradient peaks as high as 15%.
Final kms
The final 10km are clearly divided into two halves: first a fast-running descent (4km) on wide roads with sharp downhill gradients, then a mild climb (6km), growing steeper, up to 2km from the finish. Next comes a false-flat uphill drag. The finish line lies on an 80m long and 7m wide asphalt home stretch, running gently uphill.
POINTS OF INTEREST
BRESSANONE/BRIXEN – km 0
Brixen is a charming, major city of the autonomous province of Bolzano. Historically, it is the capital of the district of the Eisacktal, at the confluence between the Rienz and Eisack rivers. It was the seat of the large ecclesiastical state of the “prince-bishops” for 800 years. The oldest district of the city is surrounded by a line of walls, and can be accessed via three main gates. Brixen’s monuments include the Duomo and its cloister, the fortified Bishop’s Palace and the Museo Diocesano. Via dei Portici Maggiori is considered as the heart of the city, and is lined with original, well-preserved mediaeval buildings.
Winter sports are very popular here, especially around and about the Plose Group (2,562m), which rises very close to the city. Outstanding sights include the marvellous, imposing and ancient Augustinian Abbey of Neustift (Novacella), in the municipal district of Varna. Reinhold Messner, a famous mountaineer, explorer and writer, is a Brixen native (1948).
In 2009, the city hosted the start of stage 6, finishing in Mayrhofen (Austria), with victory going to Michele Scarponi. This will be its second Giro stage start.
CHIUSA/KLAUSEN – km 10
Home to the prominent Säben Abbey.
BOLZANO/BOZEN (intermediate sprint) – km 38
The provincial capital Bolzano (intermediate sprint) is the point where northern European and Mediterranean cultures come together; a historical district brimming with artistic and architectural splendour. Major landmarks include the 16-century Duomo, an excellent example of Gothic architecture. Piazza Walther and the ancient Via dei Portici are considered the heart of the city.
Notable citizens include cyclists Antonella Bellutti, individual pursuit gold medallist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and points race gold medallist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics; and Manuel Quinziato, professional rider since 2002. The city has hosted 13 Giro stage finishes. Bolzano was also hometown to diving aces Klaus Dibiasi and Tania Cagnotto, as well as to winter sports specialists, cousins Isolde (Alpine skiing) and Carolina (figure skating) Kostner, with their outstanding records of achievements.
APPIANO SULLA STRADA DEL VINO / EPPAN – km 48
The town is composed of a number of hamlets, covered in vineyards and orchards, and dotted with elegant, picturesque buildings. The route winds its way through a charming landscape.
PASSO DELLA MENDOLA / MENDELPASS (KOM) – km 64
This mountain pass has often been featured in the Giro d’Italia course, and has been the venue for motorsport competitions.
RUFFRÉ – km 67 and FONDO – km 74
The road drops down into the Val di Non, amid the apple orchards (the area’s major crop), all the way to Fondo. Located in the upper valley, the town is a major holiday destination. It was home to the futurist painter, sculptor and designer Fortunato Depero (1892-1960).
CLES (intermediate sprint) – km 93
The route cuts across some picturesque villages, including Revò; a hamlet overlooking the lake fed by River Noce, with two distinctive bell towers. Next on the stage course is Cles (intermediate sprint). Located at the centre of the Non Valley, the town lies in a wide plateau, overlooking the lake of Santa Giustina. The old town is rich in late-Gothic buildings, influenced by the Venetian Renaissance. The castle of Cles rises on the top of a promontory.
Cles was hometown to cycling ace Maurizio Fondriest (1965), 1988 Professional World Champion and 1993 Milano-Sanremo winner (just to mention a few of his achievements). Cles hosted one Giro stage finish, in 1980, won by Giuseppe Saronni.
DERMULO – km 97
The route cuts across the wide floor of the Val di Non, among the countless villages rising on the surrounding upland. Bound by the Anauni Mountains on the east and by the Brenta Dolomites on the west, it borders with Val d’Ultimo and the Alto Adige. The valley has become famous for the production of Golden Delicious apples commercially known as Melinda (the first PDO label given to a fruit).
FAI DELLA PAGANELLA (KOM) – km 122
The Fai della Paganella climb rises steadily, in the unique natural landscape of the Etschtal and Piana Rotaliana, underneath. The town is a major holiday destination and ski area, offering countless possibilities for sports, leisure and entertainment, both in winter and summer.
ANDALO (KOM) – km 132
The town is surrounded by the Paganella massif (2,125m) and by the unique rocky profile of the Brenta Dolomites with Piz Galin (2,442m) in the foreground, and Cima Tosa, the highest point in the Brenta Group (3,173m), in the background. The old town centre has retained its original mediaeval look and structure. The local ski area is a perfect destination for winter tourism, while in the summertime, the territory offers hiking, walking, cycling and mountaineering.
The karst lake of Andalo grows and shrinks based on the season and the rainfall. A cycle path runs round around the lake; in the wintertime, it becomes an illuminated cross-country skiing ring.
Andalo was finish location of stage 18 (starting from Verona) in the 1973 Giro d’Italia. Victory went to Eddy Merckx.
Amador with his girlfriend Laura