TOMORROW'S STAGE
Stage 17 – Molveno - Cassano d'Adda – 196km
The first half of the stage is wavy, while the second half is perfectly flat. The route rolls along moderate undulations all the way up to km 120 (Brescia), where the road eventually levels out. There are a few tunnels in the first part. In the flat sector, the roads are relatively wide and straight, with just a few more curvy stretches. Roundabouts, speed bumps and traffic dividers are the main obstacles typically found in urban areas.
Final kms
The final 5km are perfectly flat, with two mild bends and one (last) turn 600m before the finish, on 7m wide asphalt road. Roundabouts, speed bumps and traffic islands are the main obstacles, throughout the stage course.
POINTS OF INTEREST
MOLVENO – km 0
The city of Molveno lies on the northern shore of the lake of the same name, which originated following a large landslide around 4,000 years ago. It is located at the eastern edge of the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park, a popular summer and wintertime holiday resort. Molveno makes its debut as Giro d’Italia stage city.
TIONE DI TRENTO – km 32
The town, the main centre of the Valli Giudicarie, is the territory’s major trade and service hub.
PONTE CAFFARO – km 63
This hamlet in Bagolino, north of Lake Idro was the scene of a battle fought between the forces led by Garibaldi and the Austrian empire on 25 June 1866. From 1861 to 1918, it marked the boundary between the Kingdom of Italy and Austria-Hungary.
BARGHE (feed zone) – km 87
The route skirts the lake, passing Anfo (and its fortress) and Lavenone. Next on the course – now within Val Sabbia, a major metalworking area – are Vestone, Barghe (feed zone) and Preseglie, home to the Madonna di Visello sanctuary.
PASSO SANT’EUSEBIO (KOM) – km 100
BRESCIA (intermediate sprint) – km 120
Italy’s sixth biggest city lies at the foot of Monte Maddalena. Founded over 3,000 years ago, it has a rich historical and monumental heritage. Brescia is called the “Lioness of Italy” because of its ten days of resistance against the Austrian troops during Italian Risorgimento (from 23rd March until 1st April 1849). UNESCO declared the Roman Forum and the Lombard monastery of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia a World Heritage site.
MACLODIO – km 144
Maclodio was the scene of a battle between the Republic of Venice and the Duchy of Milan on 12th October 1427. Milan was defeated, marking the supremacy of Venice over the territory of Brescia.
RUDIANO – km 156
The route cuts across the fertile lowlands of Brescia and past Trenzano, with its imposing town hall. Rudiano was home to the racing driver Franco Mazzotti (1904), who, together with his fellow drivers Aymo Maggi and Renzo Castagneto, and journalist Giovanni Canestrini, founded the world-famous Mille Miglia endurance race in 1927.
CALCIO (intermediate sprint) – km 163
Home to the imposing church of San Vittore, designed by the famous Italian architect Carlo Maciachini.
MOZZANICA – km 177
Main sights in Mozzanica include the civic tower and the moat around old town centre that was once surrounded by defensive walls.
CARAVAGGIO – km 182
The route passes the majestic sanctuary of Our Lady of Caravaggio, which hosted a Giro stage start in 2013.
TREVIGLIO – km 188
Just a few kilometres from Treviglio is Arzago d’Adda, the village of Giambattista Baronchelli, the third most prominent figure in Italian cycling during the rivalry between Moser and Saronni. Vailate, nearby, was hometown to Pierino and Adriano Baffi; both professional riders with Giro stage wins.
CASSANO D’ADDA – km 196
Cassano d’Adda makes its debut as a Giro d’Italia stage city. The historical district of the city lies on the right shore of River Adda, as part of the original defensive scheme, and the broader territory is scattered with a multitude of elegant buildings, especially stately villas belonging to noble Milanese families, the most prominent being the Villa d’Adda-Borromeo. The castle is a majestic building sitting prominently on the Adda and protected by ramparts.
Cassano d’Adda was hometown to the great footballer Valentino Mazzola (1919-1949), and to general and Senator Giuseppe Perrucchetti (1839-1916), considered the founder of the Italian Alpine Army Corps.
The stage finish in Cassano d’Adda pays homage to local hero Gianni Motta, winner of 1966 Giro d’Italia.