Giro, avalanche risk: skip the Stelvio

Turn, avalanche risk

Recent snowfall on the Stelvio Pass and the subsequent rise in temperatures are increasing the risk of avalanches. The Giro d'Italia organization, in order to safeguard the safety of the Carovana Rosa, has therefore decided to change the route of the 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia, Livigno-Santa Cristina Val Gardena/St. Christina in Gröden (Monte Pana), which will be changed from 202 to 206 km.

Cima Coppi, which was previously the Stelvio, now becomes the Giogo di Santa Maria/Umbrailpass at 2489 m. High-mountain stage, but broken by the Adige and Isarco valleys that make it composed of three parts. Mountain, with Foscagno and Giogo di Santa Maria (Cima Coppi); flat, from Glorenza until just after Bolzano; mountain again, with the ascent of Passo Pinei and the finish in Val Gardena after Santa Cristina.

From the Giogo di Santa Maria (Umbrailpass) to Tubre, 18 km are covered in Swiss territory. Stage that runs on roads with fairly wide roadways and in good condition. Of note are the uphill Stelvio/Giogo di Santa Maria tunnels just after Bormio and the downhill ones (wide and lit) at Foresta/Forst before Merano.

Last 3 km almost all uphill except for the short descent from the center of Santa Cristina to the bridge (-2 km) where the final tear begins. Average gradient tear around 12% with peaks of 16% in the initial part with narrow hairpin bends. Final straight of 100 m on asphalt width 6 m.