Last week, Mark and myself travelled to Italy to participate in the 23rd edition of the Maratona dles Dolomites. This is a big event. It is one of the three big sportives in Europe along with La Marmotte, and E'tape du Tour, and had been a goal of mine ever since I started cycling 2 years ago.
After flying into Venice on Wednesday, we headed out on our bikes on Thursday and Friday to familiarise ourselves with sections of the course, and get a sense of the challenge ahead. On Thursday, we rolled out of Digonera (1150m) and after a couple kilometres downhill we soon had our bikes pointing upwards. Mark had chosen Passo Fedaia (2057m - profile) as our first challenge, but hadn't provided any detail. Some 13km and close to 1000m later, I realised why. It was a tough introduction to the Dolomites but one which put into context the Maratona itself, for the Maratona's total ascent would be the equivalent of 4 Passo Fedaia.
After a coffee at the top, we started our first major descent. It was amazing, I thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of dropping like a stone. Soon we were on part of the Maratona course, albeit travelling in the wrong direction, climbing Passo Pordoi (2239m - profile). 12km, 800m and 27 tornanti (switchbacks) later we were at the top.
At the top of Passo Pordoi is a monument to the great Fausto Coppi. An Italian cyclist who won the Giro 5 times and the Tour 2 times among his career palmeres.
The descent to Arabba was incredible. 33 switchbacks! It was exhilarating - only there was the sudden realisation that we would need to ride back up it on Sunday. From Arabba we continued along the "flat" section of the Maratona course. In truth it is a traverse - nothing in this part of the world is flat. However it offered great views of Digonera.
Garmin Connect : Passo Fedaia
Friday we decided to ride the second half of the Medio course starting from Arabba - a route that would take in Passo Falzarego (2117m - 11.8km @ 6.7% - profile) and Passo Campolongo (1875m - 5.8km @ 6.7% - profile). The roads were full of cyclists. A lot of people were descending on the area in preparation for Sunday. On Falzarego, I felt strong. I was passed by only two cyclists, otherwise I was doing the passing. At the top I felt ready for Sunday, I was confident I take on everything the Maratona would throw at me.
Garmin Connect : Passo Falzarego
We took it easy Saturday - no cycling. Instead we drove the last section of the Maratona course, which included the toughest climb, Passo Giau (2236m - 9.9km @ 9.3%). As we drove up Giau there were alot of people suffering. It is continuously steep and long. Most were out of their saddles and slowly pushing their pedals. The confidence I had felt the previous day suddenly disappeared. Had Giau been the first climb of the day, I had no doubt I would be able to climb it. It isn't. It is the 6th climb, and there is small problem that Passo Falzarego follows. We continued along the course over Falzarego to La Villa. We completed our registration, then joined the Cycling Weekly crew for a team photo in Corvara. During this time I pondered what I would do on Sunday - the visions of Giau front of mind. I went to bed still debating to myself whether I would do the Maratona or Medio route.
At 04:00 my alarm sounded. I tried to eat a carb-loaded breakfast but struggled, my body not used to taking on food at this time of day. At 04:45 we were on the road heading to Corvara. After parking the car, we assembled our bikes, readied ourselves and casually rode to La Villa. The enormity of the event suddenly became apparent. The road were full of cyclists heading in the same direction, and 3 helicopters buzzed above.
It was cold, and we had a good 30 minutes in our pen waiting to be released onto the road. That said, there was a nervous energy in the air that kept all warm. Everyone keen to get going, and before too long we were off. It was a mass start, the road filled with cyclists. It was hard to believe there were only 8500 cyclists, for the full width of the road was filled ahead and behind us.
This long snake continued over Passo Campolongo down to Arabba. As I started the climb of Passo Pordoi, the lead helicopter was already at the top. Looking up the mountain, the body of the snake could been seen bending all the way. All of this was being shown live on Italian television - it must have been an awesome sight. When I reached the top, I looked down and the body seemed to continue all the way to the bottom.
A fast descent down the back of Pordoi, the side which we had climbed on Thursday, and almost immediately it was Passo Sella (2239m - 5.5km @ 7.9% - profile). Barely 35km into the course, we had already completed 3 climbs. Next up was Passo Gardena (2121m - 5.8km @ 4.3% - profile). On paper this was the easiest climb of the day. Unlike the other climbs, this ascent wasn't at a continuous gradient. In the middle of the 5.8km is a flat section, so almost all the ascent comes in a short sharp climb - something more a kin to the Surrey Downs.
Here I received the following text from the organisers - "Hi Alisdair, you passsed the Passo GARDENA at 9:28:14 after 2:46:13 race time. sponsored by NATFOOD".
The descent off Gardena was even faster. Crowds lined the roads as we approached Corvara, thus finishing a loop of the Sella Ronda. Passing through the finish area, we climbed a little steep section with excellent support from the side of the road. The support continued up Passo Campolongo and was much appreciated.
Back in Arabba, we turned east and traversed some 12km across to Cernadoi. This was THE fork in the road, turn right and face Passo Giau or turn left to dodge it. I turned left - knowing Passo Giau was probably beyond me today - and started the climb of Passo Falzarego. Though I was surrounded by cyclists, the only noise was the turning of chains - there were no conversations. As I approached the top, a helicopter buzzed - which I figured pin-pointed the position of the lead women (on the long course).
The top of Passo Falzarego is a false peak, as Passo Valparola (2200m) follows immediately. I could see a group of supporters half way up Valparola, and decided to give them something to cheer for. I got out the saddle and executed an "attack", flying past riders and received the cheer I had sought. They even recognised the Australian colours I was wearing.
The descent of Valparola was the most exhilarating experience I have ever had on a bike. With fewer bikes about me, and with the knowledge the road contained no cars, I dropped like a stone. Hitting speeds up 80km/hr, a completed a 5km section in 5'05" (average speed just below 60km/hr).
We were soon in La Villa, with 5km to the finish in Corvara and it became a sprint for the finish. As I approach the finish line, I lifted my hands from the bars and punched the air (captured in the video below). A text from the organisers confirmed my finish time - 5hr 28min 41 sec.
This is the best sportive I have ever participated in. It is brilliantly organised, and a challenge yet you are rewarded with the most spectacular panorama. Were I staying in the UK, I would definitely come back. Who knows, I may still, for the trip from Australia would be worth it.
Garmin Connect : 2009 Maratona dles Dolomites
Other links:
- Mark's video (link)
- 2009 Maratona dles Dolomites on YouTube (link)
- The 2009 Maratona dles Dolomites Photo Gallery : by PatitucciPhoto (link)
- Cycling Challenge : Success - The2009 Maratona dles Dolomites (link)
- Cycling Challenge : Sella Ronda (link)
- Cycling Challenge : Passo Falzarego via Campolongo (link)
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