Monday 23rd May : Giro rest day and arrival day. Stay in Desenzano del Garda
As the riders of the 2022 Giro d’Italia enjoy their final rest day, we will welcome you at Milan Bergamo airport. Our head guide, Giro d’Italia stage winner Andrea Ferrigato, and the DSE team, will be at Bergamo awaiting your arrival.
Our transfer will then leave the airport at 14:00. Please ensure that you arrive in plenty of time before our 14:00 departure time to avoid delaying the rest of the group. We expect the transfer to our overnight accommodation in Desenzano del Garda take approximately 1 hour.
Bikes
If you are travelling with your own bike, then we will transport your bike and bike box/bag for the duration of the tour. When we move to the next hotel, there’s no need to re-pack your bike. They will be transported fully assembled. Alternatively, we also offer bike rental for the duration of the tour.
Bikes available are:
- Giant Contend SL1 Aluminium Shimano 105
- Giant TCR Advanced 1 Carbon Shimano Ultegra
- Giant TCR Advanced 0 Carbon Shimano Ultegra Di2
We are staying in Desenzano del Garda for the next two nights at Hotel Bonotto. The hotel is located in the town centre. Bikes can be stored at the hotel.
This afternoon and early evening, our tour leaders and bike mechanics are available to help you. Later this evening we will gather for an evening meal together in Hotel Bonotto’s restaurant. After dinner you are free to head into town to explore the beautiful Desenzano del Garda.
Tuesday 24th May : Stage 16 Salo > Aprica. Start Village Hospitality in Salo
Stage 16 of the Giro starts in Salo, which is close to where we are staying. The riders will tackle three categorised climbs as well as one other significant climb before a downhill finish in Aprica. Overall this amounts to a huge 5,440 metres of ascent today, ensuring that it will be an exciting day of racing.
Start Village
For the 21 days of the Giro d’Italia the sun rises each day upon the beautiful Italian squares of the host cities and the Giro starts anew. With espressos still warm the riders gather each morning in the Start Village, along with the sponsors, RCS organisation management and guest in preparation to depart on the day's stage.
With Destination Sport Experience we put you right in the heart of this exciting pre-race atmosphere. Upon arrival at the Start Area, guests will collect their pass to access one of the different Hospitality Areas near the signature podium, offering non-stop coffee/bar service. They will meet the riders and experience the exciting pre-race atmosphere.
Michelangelo is the top level Hospitality, the closest to the signature podium
Included with your start village experience
- Guest reception, and collection of the pass for the reserved hospitality area
- Access to the hospitality area
- Non-stop coffee bar service
Today’s guided rides
This morning we will go for an 80km warm up ride in the area. The ride will be relatively flat with just 500 metres of ascent.
After enjoying the start village, there is another guided ride on offer. We’ll ride 2 hours by the lake back to our hotel.
We are staying in Desenzano del Garda for our final night tonight. This afternoon and early evening, our tour leaders and bike mechanics are available if you have any bike issues, and to run through the plans for tomorrow. We will have an evening meal together in the hotel’s restaurant.
Wednesday 25th May : Stage 17 Ponte di Legno > Lavarone
After breakfast we say goodbye to Desenzano del Garda and begin to make our way towards Bassano del Grappa, where we will spend the next two nights at the Hotel Glamour. On route we will catch the Giro on today’s 166km stage from Ponte di Legno to Lavarone. We’ll stop about 30km from the finish on the flanks of the Salita de Menador climb, where both the GC and blue jersey contenders will have a close eye on each other’s movements.
Today’s stage
Today the Giro heads to Caldanazo, and shortly after, the finish climb appears. The Menador – or Monte Rovere – is a 7.9km long ascent with an average gradients of 9.9%. At 12.6%, the penultimate kilometre is the most intimidating part.
After the Menador the route continues to climb at shallow gradients for a few kilometres before a descent leads to the slightly uphill finish.
Today’s guided ride : 80km with 1,600m climbing
We will transfer riders to Riva del Garda where there will be time for a quick coffee before setting off for Trento, riding 60 km along a quiet bike path to Trento, and ultimately to Caldonazzo, at the foot of today’s final climb, the Menador. It is then our turn to take to the slopes of the Menador just hours before the pros arrive. From the summit you will then enjoy a short descent towards the town of Lavarone, where we will wait to watch the race pass through. With so much expected to be riding on today’s stage we expect the atmosphere on this final climb to be electric with a party feel amongst the awaiting Italian cycling fans.
Riva del Garda > Trento > Menador | 86.3 km Road Cycling Route on Strava (log-in required)
After the stage we will transfer you form Lavarone to Bassano del Grappa, which we expect to take approximately 1hr 30mins.
We are staying in Bassano del Grappa tonight at the 4-star Hotel Glamour. Upon arrival you are free to relax and explore the local area. We will later again enjoy an evening meal together in our hotel’s restaurant.
Thursday 26th May : Stage 18 Bassano del Grappa >Treviso
Today's Stage
After yesterday’s punishing stage, today’s 146 kilometre stage from Borgo Valsugana to Treviso is far more forgiving, as the Giro leaves the hills and heads towards the lowlands around Treviso for what is sure to be a sprint finish. There will be a few ‘undulations’ on the way as the route passes a few iconic places, including the picturesque hairpins of the Scale di Primolano, the beautiful Piave river valley, and the gentle rolling hills of Valdobbiadene and Refrontolo in the Prosecco wine-producing region. The Muro di Ca’ del Poggio represents the final test before exiting the hills and entering the lowlands.
Today’s guided ride : 90km with 1,300m climbing
We are perfectly located in Bassano del Grappa to enjoy today’s stage. We will ride north out of Bassano del Grappa and into the hills. Our destination is Asolo, an amazing little medieval village in the Prosecco hills. After potentially sampling some of the region’s produce, we will continue to Valdobbiadene where you will have the option of tackling the short ‘wall’, Ca’ del Poggio, before descending back to the base, where the giro party will be sure to be in full swing awaiting the arrival of the peloton.
After the peloton passes, we will transfer you the short distance back to our hotel in Bassano del Grappa. There rest of the day is yours to enjoy before once again we will have an evening meal together in our hotel’s restaurant.
Friday 27th May : Stage 19 Marano Lagunare > Santuario di Castelmonte
Todays Stage
Stage 19 sees the Giro move from the Prosecco region of Italy and into beautiful Slovenia. We will instead head towards the magnificent limestone towers of the Dolomites.
Today’s guided ride : 85km with 1,500m climbing
After breakfast we will pack our tour minibuses and head halfway to our overnight accommodation in Canazei, stopping in Borgo Valsugana. We will then cycle the remaining 85 kilometres on stunning roads into the heart of the Dolomites.
Starting in Borgo Valsugana, we will warm the legs riding along the valley floor, before the route pitches up towards Baselga di Pinè, a 7km climb at 8%. From here the undulating quiet road is fast down to Predazzo, and onwards through the Val di Fassa valley, finishing in Canazei in the heart of the stunning Dolomites.
Giro Borgo Valsugana to Canazei | 108.0 km Road Cycling Route on Strava (log-in required)
We are staying in Canazai tonight at the 3-star Hotel Cristallo. Upon arrival you are free to relax, make use of the hotel’s spa facilities and take in the grandeur of the surrounding area. We will later enjoy an evening meal together in the hotel’s restaurant.
Saturday 28th May : Stage 20 Belluno > Marmolada (Passo Fedaia) - Dolomites day
Today's Stage
Today the giro heads for the Dolomites for what is sure to be a colossal day in the saddle for the riders, with a mammoth 4,490 meters of climbing across the 167 kilometre stage. After an initial 30km riding through the valley of the Piave River there are three big climbs for the riders to tackle; Passo di San Pellegrino (with gradients exceeding 15% past the village of Falcade), followed by Passo Pordoi which is the Cima Coppi (highest pass on the 2022 Giro at 2,239m), and finally the Passo Fedaia with the Malga Ciapela straight, which boasts average gradients of 10%, and a brutal maximum gradient of 18%.
Today’s guided ride : 50km with 2,000m climbing
As we make our way towards the finish line on Passo Fedaia, where we expect there to be a big arrival party thrown by cycling fans to witness the effective coronation of this year’s Giro winner, we will tackle our own mini mountain stage and three passes of our own. Today we’ll climb three of the more famous passes in Italy; Passo Sella, Passo Pordoi and finally the Passo Fedaia, where we’ll wait the peloton's arrival.
Canazai > Passo Sella > Passo Pordoi > Passo Fedaia | 47.2 km Road Cycling Route on Strava (log-in required)
Cross the Finish Line Experience
What an experience do we have in store for you today. We will guide you on the final kilometres of today's stage. You will ride on closed roads through the cheering crowds and cross the official finish line of today's stage. You will then get the opportunity to take photos on the podium where the winner will stand just a few hours later. Spectators are free to join us for this today.
After the finish, we'll get together to watch the end of the stage from the hospitality area at the finish. You'll have the option to change before entering the hospitality area.
We are again staying in Canazai tonight at the 3-star Hotel Cristallo. After a big day in the saddle, why not make use of the hotel’s spa facilities? Tonight we will again enjoy an evening meal together in the hotel’s restaurant.
Sunday 29th May : Stage 21 - Verona ITT
Today’s guided ride : 70km with 200m climbing
Before the Giro reaches its crescendo in Verona later this evening, we will enjoy one last ride in the beautiful Dolomites along the Adige Valley bike path. We will then make the 2 and a half hour transfer to Verona to enjoy official Finish Line hospitality in the Arena di Verona where we will be able to watch the stage finish and the coronation of this year’s Giro winner.
Finish Hospitality in Verona
Watch the stage finish live and in comfort with Dante hospitality area at the finish line. You have access to an exclusive area with drinks, snacks and large screens to follow the action. Rub shoulders with the Giro entourage of former riders and people linked with the race.
We are tonight staying in Verona where we are excellently located in the Indigo Verona - Grand Hotel Des Arts, a charming boutique hotel, just a few steps from Porta Nuova, Piazza Bra and the Arena. Tonight we are staying on a Bed and Breakfast basis, allowing us to stay in Verona after the completion of the final stage and enjoy the buzz that will engulf the city.
Monday 30th May, 2022: Departure
As we bid you farewell, we will run one airport transfer at 10:00 to Verona Villafranca Airport. For those who are departing later there are good public transport links from the city centre out to the airport.
