6 stage bike race in the Dolomites. At first, that sounded quite unmanageable and like an absolutely absurd idea. Happening in the road bike Mecca par excellence: South Tyrol, Italy. Not exactly known for its rolling hills and mild temperatures in the summer, but rather for the very crass passes and heat battles. When registering, I did notice the distance data out of the corner of my eye (600 km, 12,000 vertical meters in 6 stages), but preferred not to visualize what that actually meant in terms of performance for me. Actually already planned for 2020, but postponed due to Corona to 2021, it was finally happening. The annual goal was Giro delle Dolomiti in July.
The preparation began already in winter. First problem: How do you prepare for something that you actually think is impossible? Training plans are not really my thing, so I stuck more to let’s say a rough routine. At least 4 Zwift rides a week for at least an hour. Additionally, for the first time in my life HIIT (High Intensity Training) to build leg and core muscles. You don’t really only get that from cycling.
When it was finally time to ride outside, there was one thing in particular: a lot of rain! Additionally, one lockdown after the next. Let’s just say my motivation wasn’t the greatest. It felt a bit like before a big exam at school. You actually want to study, you know you have to, but somehow you can’t. And the exam is getting closer and closer. And the closer it gets, the less you learn. That’s what happened at the Giro delle Dolimiti. Suddenly it was time to go to Bolzano. And I felt very far away from any form.
What exactly is this Giro delle Dolomiti?
The Giro delle Dolomiti is a 6 stage race over 7 days, with a rest day in the middle. It is ridden in a large peloton on closed roads, whereby not the time of every stage is going into the ranking, but only individual timed parts of the track, which all go without exception uphill. During these, the peloton is also suspended, so to speak, and everyone rides as fast as they can. So it’s actually an uphill race (good thing I’m tall and heavy 😛 ). The ones who take part in all stages, come in the overall standings. But there is also the possibility to ride only single days. If you sign up for the whole tour, you have the chance to improve your overall ranking every day, a kind of mini Tour de France for everyone.
Start in Bolzano 
Mixed peloton 
Break!!!! 
The team (-1) 
Up up up
Equipped with bib numbers, we set off, with about 300 riders (a greatly reduced number of participants due to Corona) rolling up the first mountains. Nervousness was in the air on the first day, everyone wanted to show what they were capable of. The peloton practically flew up the first timed climb. For me, it was more about not being picked up by the broom wagon. Fortunately, the gradients were moderate and manageable, and one got into conversation with various fellow riders. In between there were always breaks, where the fast had to wait for the slow (which was made more bearable for them with fruit, water, broth and all kinds of cakes and cookies). After that, the peloton continued together again.
The peloton of the Giro delle Dolomiti
The first few days I was extremely annoyed by this peloton, especially on the downhill sections. Many riders did not give the impression that they had ridden in a group many times before. Through constant, uncontrolled braking and sometimes quite amusing manoeuvres, you had to be constantly vigilant that you did not crash into your frontman / woman. With 40 km downhill (yes, that’s how high the mountains in the Dolomites are) this could be really exhausting and frustrating in the long run. Especially in curves. The field of riders was additionally characterized by, let’s say, middle-aged road bike club riders who always had a “funny” joke on their lips. These jokes got worse opposite the female participants. A few times I had to put the one or other gentlemen in their place verbally.
But once you got used to these circumstances (and convincingly explained that no hidden electric motor was powering my bike), the breathtaking landscape compensated to a great extent. Also, the fact that the roads were completely closed to traffic was just an incredible experience. Secured by the same motorcycle squad (watch out now it’s getting cool) that also oversees the Giro d’Italia, there were barriers at every intersection that stopped regular traffic. This made you feel somewhat like a real pro. The patience of the Italian drivers in particular, who didn’t pull an annoyed face when 300 people struggled past them uphill at snail’s pace in the oncoming lane, but on the contrary, shouted a Forza after them, was fascinating.
The queen stage
Stage 4 was then the queens stage. 160 km 3,300 meters in altitude, from Bolzano once the Sella Ronda. This was the stage where I was unsure in advance whether I should not just sit this one out. But once in “race mode”, you unfortunately develop somehow a certain ambition and seemingly unimagined forces. So we went at 7 o’clock in the morning to the start. Surprisingly, on this day the peloton had itself slowly under control, and it was clearly less foresight necessary, as the days before. Additionally, most of the descents were decontrolled, giving us a terrific day in the saddle. The broom wagon came dangerously close to me every now and then (already occupied by some participants), but I was able to prevent a collection again and again by spiritedly pedalling. And so I somehow managed to ride the most vertical meters I had ever managed in one day. What a feeling!
Team time trial
On the last day (stage 6) then the next first: team time trial. 16 km full throttle through the Bolzano plateau. The time trial teams consist of at least 4, maximum 5 participants, 4 of whom have to finish. The time is taken from the last participant to cross the finish line. There is a classification for men and women teams, as well as for mixed teams, in which at least one woman must ride. We started as the only mixed team with two women (four of us). The teams started 30 seconds apart, start and finish were next to each other.
We were team number 7 at the start and had of course worked out a strategy in lengthy discussions. The slowest one stays behind the whole time (yes ok, that was me), the fast ones change in front. Suddenly the starting signal sounded and we raced off. Never in my life have I gone to my limit like that, especially after a whole week of extreme mountain riding was behind me. Nevertheless, we managed to overtake three of the teams in front of us (two mixed and one women’s team)! And couldn’t believe it at the end of the classifications: 3rd place in the mixed classification! What a success!
My conclusion:
The Giro delle Dolomiti is a very nice ride that provides physical borderline experiences in the timed parts. The performance level of the participants is mixed but ambitious. The catering is top, the pace feasible, the field of participants could like to rejuvenate a little. Would I participate again? Let’s talk again next year.