Iconic Climbs of the Giro + 2013 UCI Road World Championships
Cycling & Non Cycling Tour 23-30 September 2013 Bormio + Florence, Italy In 2013, the cycling season's most prestigious one day races for both men and women will be held on the stunning roads of Tuscany in Italy. We invite you to be there as the battle for the Rainbow Jersey is fought out on the roads to Florence. To add to the experience, we will take the opportunity to guide you over some of the most iconic climbs in Giro d'Italia history as we explore the icons of Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo and more. With unique itineraries for both cyclists and non-cyclists, you will enjoy a beautiful introduction to all the colour, excitement, culture and flavours that only Italy offers. 23 September 2013 Our tour commences at Milan's Malpensa Airport where guests will be met by their tour leader. From here we will transfer to the beautiful village of Bormio located in the Italian Alps. On route we will enjoy the stunning views as we drive alongside Lake Como. On arrival to Bormio you will check-in to our specialist cycling hotel for the following 3 nights. For those bringing their own bikes, our mechanics will be on hand to assist with their assembly, alternatively you will be custom fitted to our bikes which will be yours for the week. We will then enjoy a ride to Bormio 2000 directly from the hotel to shake out any stiffness in the legs. All guided rides during the tour will have lead and rear riding guides and vehicle support to ensure your comfort and support throughout. Guests will be encouraged to ride at their own pace and find the challenge that suits their level. For non-riders, you will have the chance to explore the stunning village of Bormio at leisure. The ancient streets are lined with beautiful boutique shops, historical artwork on the walls, beautiful churches and architecture. In the evening the group will enjoy a gourmet 3 course dinner with accompanying wine at our hotel. Being a specialist cycling hotel, our dinner will be sure to provide you with the energy you need for the following day's riding. Overnight: Hotel Funivia, Bormio Key climbs: Bormio 2000 (9.85km - 735m elevation gain) 24 September 2013 During our stay at the Hotel Funivia guests will start their day with a hearty breakfast, be provided with a lunch pack to take away and then afternoon tea and dinner at the hotel in order to recharge for the following day. Guests will also have their cycling gear washed and dried each night, ready for the following day's riding. Each day whilst in Bormio we will be offering optional guided rides to the key climbs of the region with our local guides and mechanical/nutritional support or the chance to explore under your own steam. Our morning guided ride will be to the nearby Lago di Cancano. The ride will provide a good lead in to the more challenging rides that lie ahead. Riding directly from the hotel we will climb for approximately 11km to the high alpine lake. Whilst not one of the most challenging climbs of the region, it is certainly one of the most picturesque as the road winds back on itself 15 times in a very short distance. After a break for lunch, which will be enjoyed at leisure in the village of Bormio we will depart for our afternoon ride. The challenge will be to take on one of the Giro's most renowned climbs, the Gavia. Riding directly from the hotel will provide you with a nice warm up before the gradients hit closer to the summit. The road of the Gavia is narrow and very steep in sections and greatly rewarding for all riders. For non-riders, you will have the chance to enjoy the spa facilities that Bormio is famous for. The natural thermal baths and well-being centres are a fantastic way to enjoy a day. Members of the Roman aristocracy travelled to Bormio to enjoy these beautiful natural baths, most of which are still in use today. The village hosts a number of different options which can be organised via our hotel during your stay. For those looking for a more active pursuit, surrounding Bormio are some of the most scenic walking trails in Northern Italy. Further touring options can be arranged with our hotel's fantastic staff. In the evening we will enjoy dinner as a group at the hotel. Overnight: Hotel Funivia, Bormio Key climbs: Cancano (11.4km - 624m elevation gain) 25 September 2013 Following breakfast at the hotel we will take to one of the world's most famous climbs, the Passo dello Stelvio. The Stelvio is a beautiful ride from the village of Bormio all the way to the summit. The ride commences through a canyon that is flanked by steep mountains before it opens up allowing the road to climb via a series of switchbacks. From here the legs enjoy some respite as you cross a high alpine field before the road steepens to the summit. After a break for photos and a coffee at the summit, guests will have the choice to enjoy the descent directly to Bormio or continue on an epic day's riding. Those wishing to extend their ride will return a few kilometres towards Bormio before we turn and descend to the valley floor in neighbouring Switzerland. From here will we follow the valley back in to Italy to the village of Prato before climbing up the Northern face of the Stelvio. On reaching our hotel after the descent, we will have ridden one of the world's greatest 100km rides. Our non-riding guests will enjoy a wonderful tour to neighbouring Switzerland. Located a short drive down the valley is the start of the Bernina Express train line, judged one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Guests will be transferred to the town of Tirano, where they will board the train and climb their way through in to the Swiss Alps and the beautiful playground of the rich and famous, St Moritz. In St Moritz you will enjoy time to explore the village before taking the train back to Tirano and meeting your transfer back to Bormio. This will be a day that you won't forget. Dinner in the evening will be a celebration of fantastic day's touring and our farewell from this stunning part of Italy. Overnight: Hotel Funivia, Bormio Key climbs: Passo dello Stevio Southern face (21.5km - 1533m elevation gain) Passo dello Stelvio Northern face (24.3km - 1808m elevation gain) 26 September 2013 Our departure from Bormio will not be without one final ride. From the hotel we will follow the valley floor to the infamous climb of the Mortirolo. Known to be one of the toughest climbs in the Giro, it will provide a fitting farewell from the Italian Alps. Guests will have the choice of two faces to take on the Mortirolo. Those looking for a longer less steep climb will commence their climb from the village of Grasio whereas those looking for a slightly shorter but considerably steeper climb will start from the village of Mazzo. On reaching the summit all guests will regroup before we descend via the steep face to Mazzo, being sure to stop on route at the Marco Pantani memorial. From Mazzo we will continue our ride down the valley to the village of Tirano. Here we will enjoy lunch at a local pizzeria before we take our afternoon train to Florence. Our non-riding guests will have the chance to enjoy watching the battles of their riding friends as they will follow the group via our support vehicle. You will experience one of the steepest and most consistently demanding sections of road used in the grand tours. In the evening we will check in to our beautiful hotel located in the heart of Florence. Dinner will be at leisure giving you the chance to explore the city and the atmosphere of the World Championships. Overnight: Hotel Balestri, Florence Key climbs: Mortirolo from Grasio (14.8km - 1222m elevation gain) Mortirolo from Mazzo (12.4km - 1300m elevation gain) 27 September 2013 After breakfast at the hotel we will ride from our hotel in to the surrounding Tuscan countryside before making taking to the race route of the World Championships. The area is a cyclist's paradise, with rolling hills and beautiful panoramas. The group ride will be at a leisurely pace given the exertion of the previous days. Those wishing to spend the day at leisure in Florence will be invited to do so. With the Junior Men's world title to be decided that morning we will conclude our ride on the 'Fiesole Circuit'. This 16.6km loop will be taken 5 times to conclude the race and includes two short but race breaking climbs giving fantastic viewing and with the local Italian crowd, an incredible atmosphere. We will watch the race amongst the locals, giving a memorable welcome to your World Championships live race action. Typically the Junior Men's race is one of the most hotly contested as the riders rely on bold attacking moves to split the race apart. In the afternoon, it will be one of the most exciting races of the week as the Elite Women take their chance at winning the Rainbow Jersey. Guests will have the choice of watching the race from the climbs of the Fiesole Circuit which will again feature five times or the finishing straight where the crowning will take place and also enjoys five passes of the race. The Elite Women's race has been hotly contested over recent years with Marianne Vos of the Netherlands finally securing the rainbow jersey in 2012 after 5 successive silver medals. Can she repeat her success to secure her standing as the best rider of her generation or will the pressure applied by the rest of the world's top riders be too great? With Italy riding to third in the 2012 edition, there will be a huge crowd on hand to cheer on their local challenger to a win. Elisa Longo Borghini is a particular favourite in Italy as her brother is also a pro-cyclist and her mother was an Italian champion skier, all adding to the atmosphere that only the Worlds bring. For the non-riders, guests will enjoy a guided morning walking tour of Florence. Here you will enjoy learning from your local guide as they show you the beautiful piazzas, churches and museums that the city holds and explain the rich history of the city. During the afternoon, guests will enjoy the chance to explore the city further at their leisure or join the riders to watch the Elite Women's Road Race. Guests will be invited for a group dinner at a traditional Italian restaurant in the heart of Florence known for its local produce and being a favourite of locals. Overnight: Hotel Balestri, Florence Key rides: Tuscan hills & the Fiesole Circuit 28 September 2013 Located in the nearby region is one of the most famous cycling races of the Spring Classics season, the Strade Bianche. The white chalk roads of the Tuscan hills close to Siena provide some of the most memorable images of cycling every year. Following a short transfer to the Chianti region we will once again take to the bikes for what will be a beautiful and rewarding ride. On the ride you will enjoy cycling on the same roads that this race is fought on each year, whilst also enjoying the picturesque vineyards, ancient castles and fields that flank the route. Our destination, as it is also for the race, will be Siena, Italy's most beautiful small city. It is here on the famous cobbled lanes that date back to medieval times we will celebrate our final ride by climbing to the town's famous central piazza. Non-cycling guests will be transferred to Siena following the riders being dropped at their start point. From here, you will be able to explore one of Italy's most beautiful cities. You will also get the chance to welcome the riders to the famous central piazza that holds the historical Palio horse race each year. After enjoying lunch at leisure and exploring the village we will transfer back to Florence in time to watch the Men's Under 23 Road Race on the Fiesole Circuit. The race will complete 8 loops of the closing circuit, each more attacking than the previous. We will enjoy the race from the finish straight, complete with big screens so that you won't miss a minute of the action. The Under 23 race is a who's of who of future stars, with not only the glory of the rainbow stripes on offer, but also the chance to make your mark in front of the cycling community and set up your future in the pro-ranks. In recent years, legends of the likes of Taylor Phinney, Ivan Basso, Michael Matthews, Oscar Freire and Thomas Dekker have all stood on the podium at the Worlds. Dinner will be at leisure in Florence. Overnight: Hotel Balestri, Florence Key rides: Strade Bianche 29 September 2013 With our cycling component finished, the final day of the World Championships will become our focus. The Elite Men's Road Race is the biggest one day road race of the year and with a course that will suit many riders from all over the world it will be a dramatic conclusion. After a morning at leisure, the entire group will be invited to our VIP hospitality suite located in the finish straight where you will spend the afternoon enjoying all the action along with cocktail dining and open bar. Guests will enjoy the action live on the many screens located in the suite and also directly in front as the riders will pass by 8 times as they take on the Fiesole Circuit before the champion is crowned. In 2012 it was Philippe Gilbert who took an impressive win in front of massive crowds in the Netherlands. Can he be the first to go back-to-back since Bettini in '06/'07, will we see riders such as Mark Cavendish or Matt Goss take a high speed finish or a break-away finisher like Thor, Boonen or Cancellara go all the way. In the evening we will dine at a fantastic restaurant in Florence. Here guests will enjoy a 3 course dinner with matching local wines whilst celebrating a fantastic week of cycling and racing in Italy. Overnight: Hotel Balestri, Florence 30 September 2013 Our tour concludes following breakfast at the hotel. Should you wish to extend your stay at the hotel please let us know. For onward travel, Florence is particularly well located as it is between one and three hours from Rome, Milan and Venice and connected by air to all parts of Europe. Inclusions: 7 nights 3 and 4 star accommodation Breakfast daily and 5 dinners + lunch packs and afternoon tea on Bormio ride days Daily guided rides with vehicle support Use of a custom fitted Trek Madone 5.2 with compact/28 gear setup Nutrition during rides (gels, bars, isotonic powders, coke, fruit, etc) Tour jersey and musette VIP Corporate Hospitality for the Elite Men's Road Race 4 live race viewings of the UCI 2013 Road Race Championships Train and coach transfers as listed Guide and mechanical support Tour dossier including detailed ride maps, gradient charts and more Cost + payment details: Price per person based on twin share (rider): 2,330€ Price per person based on twin share (non-rider): 2,180€ Single supplement: 550€ Deposit: 600€on reservation Balance: Due 24 July 2013 To book or for further information: Will Maley p. +33 (0) 6 66 87 46 96 e. [email protected] About SportsPulsions.com: The team at Sports Pulsions has been involved in cycling at all levels in Europe since the 80's. Our goal is to provide 'pro-cycling based experiences' to all our guests whether we are hosting them around a pro-tour event or on a riding experience. We have partnered with the leaders in cycling to provide the direct support to make your tour incredible. Whether it is the Trek Madone bike you ride (replaced every 12 months), the Skoda support vehicles we drive or the Performance Nutrition energy bars and gels you enjoy, you will feel like a pro. Our team is built of top level cyclists that are highly experienced in guiding with years of experience riding the roads of Europe. We believe in keeping a tight knit team who work with us year round to ensure your safety and enjoyment. All our staff live in Europe and so our backyard is your playground. We build our tours through our experience in the regions, ensuring that you ride the unique roads and visit both the key places in cycling history as well as the beautiful villages en route. Review our recent events at: www.sportspulsions.com/recent-events.html About the bikes: SportsPulsions.com is a partner of Trek France. Through our agreement, guests will all have use of the Trek Madone 5.2, a top quality, full carbon fibre bike with excellent running gear which we replace every 12 months. Should you wish to bring your own bike this is welcomed. All bikes are transported in our support vehicles with internal racking and mechanic station. Throughout the tour, our guides will clean and service the bikes for the guests and make any fitting adjustments they may need. We request that guests provide their own pedals, bike computers, helmets, pump kit and cycling shoes. |
Tour Summary:
Dates: 23-30 September 2013 Tour type: Riding & Non-riding Stage viewings: 4 VIP Hospitality Access: Yes Accommodation: 4 nights 3*, 3 nights 4* Start point: Milan Finish point: Florence Price per cyclist: 2,330€ Price per non-cyclist: 2,180€ Single supplement: 550€
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