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After 48 hours of relative rest since Nice and the end of the Haute Route Alps, a stage starting from Cortina awaits the 200 riders of this 5-day Haute Route Dolomites. Follow the journey of our ambassador David Polveroni.
By David Polveroni – Photos: All rights reserved
This stage connects Cortina to Trento, with 160 km, 80 of which are timed, with the Passo Falzarego and then the Passo Valles as the main difficulties. With a rather fast start in the streets of Cortina, I linger a little too much at the back and have to close a small gap at the foot of the climb. The climb is ridden at a good pace without depleting too many reserves.
One rider gets excited on the descent, but the group remains quite cohesive on a beautiful road with nice curves. I have the impression that safety is enhanced on this Dolomites event compared to the Haute Route Alps. Strangely, no neutralized descents, but dangerous sections under construction. On the other hand, there are significant efforts from the police and a different race leader’s bubble with two cars.
But riders must remain cautious because you’re never safe from anything… At the bottom of the descent, I counter a rider’s attack before being countered myself by Loïc Ruffaut, who wants to gain time on Marco, the leader. He manages to gain up to a minute’s lead.
The foot of the Valles pass is quite irregular, with steep ramps followed by more rolling sections. On the climb, as we are about to catch up with Loïc, at a stop chrono of about 1 km, I decide to ease off, because the road is still long and I don’t feel like pushing hard at that moment. Probably a small mistake, I should have pushed a little more, because for the rest of the climb I find myself continuously between 30 and 45 seconds behind Paolo, who was third this morning at the start.
It’s a relatively steep climb that I didn’t know. There are good sections over 10%. However, the road is really beautiful, with good pavement. Like the day before, I lose 4 or 5 minutes to the leaders. On the other hand, the gap is closing behind. There are four of us within two minutes. Nothing is decided, even for third place, because Paolo doesn’t seem to be in top form.
After the Tonale, we have to reach the finish, after the end of the timed section at the bottom of the Vallès descent. A long transition in a very beautiful and green valley, but with a lot of traffic… This is not the most pleasant moment of this Haute Route.
Tomorrow, the stage will take us to Bormio with the Passo Tonale after 80 km, before the mythical Gavia at 2614m after 114 km, where the finish will be judged before the descent to Bormio. This will be followed by a double Stelvio on Friday – before the ITT in Cancano on Saturday to conclude the event.
Strava ride link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5886864388
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