Haute Route Dolomites 2021: The Last Two Stages

After the first three stages of the Haute Route Dolomites 2021, our ambassador David Polveroni looks back at the last two days, with a double ascent of the Stelvio and a final time trial.

By David Polveroni – Photos: All rights reserved

After the previous day’s off-day, I wasn’t sure if it was a bad patch that would continue or just a passing episode. Because let’s face it, after a few days in the mountains, fatigue sets in, the heart rate doesn’t go up much, efforts above FTP quickly become painful, and you frankly only have one pace zone where you feel good. These are things you have to experience to understand. I’ve had several experiences, as this is my ninth Haute Route, with a three-week experience in 2015, chaining Pyrenees/Alps/Dolomites, so I’m pretty good at understanding this kind of thing, even if it’s never an exact science…

This stage – once again – is quite “short” and intense with a double ascent of the Stelvio, and a stop chrono in the descent via the Umbrail.

After a few kilometers of warm-up in the streets of Bormio, we tackle the Stelvio, or rather the Umbrail, as we turn off at 2500 m altitude towards Switzerland. After a few kilometers, I set a steady pace at the front of the peloton. Loïc comes to tell me to continue the climb at this tempo (we get along pretty well). No problem for me, I stay at 280/300 watts, and I feel like my legs are turning well. But very quickly, I realize I’m alone…

I know this pass well, so I adopt a cadence by feel, glancing occasionally to confirm that everything is going well. I know I have to hold on until 2200/2300 m altitude. After that, it’s easier. Especially mentally, it’s easier to be in front, set your own pace, and have something left in the tank…

At the summit, I must have a small lead over the group of 5/6 riders behind, but I only see Loïc and young Jordan Schleck at the top. We descend without worrying about the group behind. Photo and pee break at the bottom. We refuel and the clock restarts as we cross from Switzerland to Italy.

My objective for this end of stage: to allow Loïc to lose as little time as possible to his pursuer Marco in the general classification. We take turns well until Prato Dello Stelvio, which marks the foot of the ascent.

It’s one of the mythical climbs due to its elevation gain, with almost 1800 m over 24 km, and its atypical hairpins at nearly 2800 m, 2757 exactly. I give my last efforts at threshold for the first 7 km, before letting him go with Jordan Schleck, a very promising young Ugandan. I finish as best I can, without too many objectives, except to enjoy myself and appreciate the beauty of the place.

The beauty of the place is also how we can characterize the fifth and final stage, a time trial that takes us to Lake Cancano. This climb, used during the 2020 Giro, with Hindley’s victory, brings this Haute Route to a beautiful close. It’s a rather regular climb, at 6.5/8%, which is divided into three parts. A first straight section with just 2/3 hairpins at the bottom, then a truly sensational section full of hairpins! Finally, a 2 km flat section before the finish, after a small repetcho and crossing the line a bit like gravel. The setting is splendid, with lakes reminiscent of Covadonga in Spain.

From a sporting point of view, even if I’m quite motivated at the start of the time trial, I quickly have to give up. Fatigue from these two weeks of battling every day. I finish eighth in this Haute Route Dolomites and second in the Alps and Dolomites classification.

The overall classification for both events was won by Loïc Ruffaut, a great animator and second in the Alps, who had to contend with the winner of the HR Pyrenees, Marco Prada, but especially with the fatigue accumulated in the Alps to complete this Haute Route Dolomites.

But the Haute Route events go far beyond a ranking, because everyone wants to gain a place, whether it’s the second or the 187th. But it’s an event that for many allows them to deepen their knowledge of their body, and how far it can go and chain efforts.

It’s also about the human side, with the diversity of nations – I’m personally very happy for young Schleck, who will finish third and win a Colnago frame – and meeting people who share the same passion.

It’s also an opportunity for one of them to discover themselves in this type of race; we’ll come back to that this week with an interview with Mathilde Terrasson, who won the women’s race.

Rankings: HERE

Strava ride link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5897680166

Note on Thursday, September 9, the presentation of the 2022 calendar: https://youtu.be/UEcb84U42Ho