I slide into my starting box. In the distance in front of me, there's the impressive the starting arch. Around me only Italians, as far as I can see. The weather is beautiful. Not too hot and not too cold. Knowing that it's also at least 15 degrees on the mountain tops, I don't carry any extra clothing. I take a deep breath. And realize that I am privileged. At last I can ride a gran fondo again! From the speakers I hear the loud sound of the wolf, the symbol of this event. Andiamo!
At a casual pace I begin the Cima di Campo. I strictly stick to my plan, following my heart rate to the top, pace is not important. I take it for granted that almost everyone overtakes me in the flat approach. Once I start climbing, this ends almost immediately. Instead, I slowly pass riders in front of me. I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I look at the clock and I know that the first time-cut at 10 o'clock in Pieve Tesino will not be a problem.
Without problems I reach the top of the first climb, after 19 kilometers of climbing at 1,435 meters altitude. I dive into the descent. After some technical corners, the descent becomes fast, with beautiful views. In Castel Tesino all side roads are closed off by signalmen and/or Carabinieri. Well organized. Before I know it, I'm in Pieve Tesino and the first feed station where I quickly fill my water bottle. After a few kilometers of climbing the second part of the descent towards Scurelle. On to the Passo Manghen.
I'm ready for it. The 23 kilometers long Passo Manghen, at 2,047 metres altitude the roof of the gran fondo. The last six kilometers don't get below 10%. I apply the same tactics here: controlled heart rate uphill. Saving for the last part. After a few steep kilometers I reach Telve, where the climb flattens out to 5% to 6%. Then there's another difficult part of several kilometers of 9% to 10% incline. Another 15 km of climbing. Again, the climb flattens for a few kilometers. I have a brief chat in English with the Steigerwald brothers from Germany, leave them behind, after which follows another few difficult kilometers of 10% and the mountain pass flattens out for the last time to about a 5% gradient. I approach the dreaded final section, seven kilometers to go. From about that point, the Manghen unfolds in all its beauty. The narrow road meanders in front of me for miles uphill. In the greenery beside it, cows graze and their cowbells ring loudly. To the right of the road runs a waterfall. It's very tough, but my easy start pays off. A few kilometers below the summit I hear the howling of wolves above, from the sound box on the summit. Goosebumps. With a grin, I turn the last corner and pass the control mats. The Manghen is in the pocket!
Km 86 - Descent of Passo Manghen
The descent of the Manghen is beautiful, but winding and therefore technical. Signals warn of oncoming traffic. Lower down the descent the road becomes wider and clearer, allowing me to reach good speeds on the descent. At the bottom, after 102 km in Molina di Fiemme there is an 18 km section through the valley to Predazzo. After some front work with four riders in my wheel, I am overtaken by a larger group which I join. A little later we reach Predazzo, the foot of the Passo di Rolle. There is the second time-cut: if you pass here after 14:30 you will have to take place in the waiting busses. I make that time by a wide margin, passing at 13:30.
The first part of the Passo di Rolle is a wide road with about five kilometers of climbing at 7%. There was little traffic on the Manghen. This is more than compensated for on the Rolle. Armadas of motorcycles and cars fly by. It is hot. Against all expectations, this is the first time I have to suffer. My stomach protests against the sweets I just swallowed. I have to pull out all the stops to keep my stomach under control. Fortunately, there is a rest stop in Bellamonte. I need a moment to recover there and throw some water over me. I continue my way and ride the kilometers long false flat, with beautiful views of the Lago di Paneveggio. A little later I reach the last part of the climb: seven kilometers at about 7% incline. In the last few kilometers the view is really beautiful, with the characteristic rock formations of the Dolomites. My stomach still protests and I am happy when I reach the top.
The descent of the Rolle is clear and runs smoothly. I descend through San Martino di Castrozza, a beautiful town. Further on it becomes a secondary descent through the valley, towards Feltre, until the foot of the Passo Croce d'Aune. I swallow a gell and my stomach settles down. I know that I'm pretty much done by this point.
The Croce d'Aune is a climb that, on paper, is perfectly doable. Still, I'm a bit apprehensive. What if the stomach starts to play up again? The first part of over two kilometers to Sorriva is over before I know it. Then there's a stretch of flat and descending, after which, just like on the Manghen, the devil follows in the last part: four kilometers of 10%. That hurts. The participants in front of me are parked just like me. One of them is so exhausted that he slaloms over the road and almost collides with me when I slowly pass him. Finally the torture is over and I see the arch of the summit. "Bravi" shout the Italians standing in front of me clapping. On the descent, the emotion sets in when I see Feltre already below me. I stay focused and a little later I thunder into the historic center. There awaits the last uphill slope over cobblestones to the finish line at Piazza Maggiore. Once at the top I clench my fist. Arrivo! I did it!
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