With the Giro d'Italia less than a week away, there's no better
time to remind oneself of the Tour's most challenging climbs. Here's
a list of my most difficult 10, starting with my 10th hardest, Monte
Bondone.
Due to a racing-car event, I was denied the opportunity of climbing Bondone's
1654-metre summit from its most popular side, Trento, but I was determined to
make it to the top just the same. A magnificent climb, from the relatively
undiscovered village of Aldeno, it was an unexpected experience I'd gladly do
again.
My 10th Hardest Climb…Mont Bondone
Departure: Aldeno
Length: 22.5 km
Altitude: 1,654m
Height Gain: 1,451m
Average Gradient: 6.4%
Maximum gradient: 12.6%
Approximately 12 kilometres from Trento, along the SP90 is the village
of Aldeno. Nestled in a fruit and wine growing area,
it’s one of many small villages you pass on your way up Monte Bondone.
The climb of almost 23 kilometres took me a
little less than two hours. An interesting and varied ride, it’s predominantly
steep, with a welcomed false flat approximately one-third of the way up the
climb. Pleasantly remote, and heavily forested in parts, its gentle approach
and extensive views to the summit, made the extra effort in getting there all
the more worthwhile. I later learned that the Giro d’ Italia uses this
route occasionally; and little wonder why.
The Climb Itself
An assault on mind and body with the first turn of the pedal, the
winding road climbs at 10% for two kilometres before tapering off to a more
comfortable 6% until you reach the village of Cimone. The gradient continues at around 7% for
the next 3 kilometres, before reaching a plateau between the twin villages of Garniga Terme and Garniga Vecchia.
Now approaching the easiest section of the climb, the now-straight road
heads north, back towards Trento. It’s here, more than 800 metres above sea
level that you get the opportunity to enjoy the sweeping views of the valley
below.
A sharp left-hand-turn near the village of Garniga Vecchia and you have
arrived back in a different world; one of verdant forest and steep gradients.
Before the road, the SP25, returns to a gentle 2% over the last few kilometres,
the next 8 by comparison, are the hardest of the climb. Engulfed in shade,
there's a distinct feeling of remoteness along the meandering road, which
eventually finds its way towards the last hamlet of Lasino.
The Last Few Kilometres
It was still a warm and cloudless afternoon, as I gradually made my way
up to the top of the pass. More than 1,600 metres, the tree-line still remained,
while Monte Bondone’s prominent peak stood another 500 metres higher. Soon, grassy
meadows had given way to bars and hotels lining the road, while steel
barricades, a finish line banner and a few stragglers along the footpath were
the only reminders of a car race that had taken place earlier in the day.
A Memorable Day in Giro d'Italia History
 |
In honour of Luxembourg rider Charly Gaul,
who in the 1956 Giro d' Italia, ploughed through
the snow up Monte Bondone to win by more
than eight minutes.
|
Monte Bondone was first climbed in the Giro d'Italia in 1956. The
39th edition of the race, it was famously won by Charly Gaul, who turned a
16-minute deficit into a three-minute advantage by the time he reached
Bondone's summit. Despite the arctic conditions, the Luxemourgian cyclist was
still able to propel himself to Tour leader after starting in 24th place when
he left Merano at the beginning of the 242 kilometre stage. Suffering from
exhaustion upon reaching the finish line, he was carried away in a blanket by
race officials. Not to be denied, he was able to hold off the 42 remaining
riders the next day, to win his first-ever major tour.
‘High Spain Drifter’ is available on Amazon , Barnes and Noble, Booktopia and other online bookstores.
Both books are also available at local bookshops on the Mornington Peninsula: @ Rosebud Bookbarn and @ La Brocante
“Ride as much or as little, as long or as short as you feel. But
ride”.
Eddy Merckx, Belgian road cycling legend
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