I stretch my legs as soon as I hear the alarm go off at 4:20 a.m. “Why do I always choose these special rides?” I wonder while setting up the hot water for my pasta. After all, I’m not a morning person, but when it comes to cycling, I’m willing to make an exception. And with good reason—today, the GF Sestriere Colle delle Finestre is on the agenda.
There are certain climbs that every cycling enthusiast must experience, and the Colle delle Finestre is undoubtedly one of them. Today, I’ll be tackling it for the third time in my cycling career, and for good reason. It’s an absolutely stunning and unique climb—19 kilometers at an average gradient of 9.1%, with 9 kilometers on dirt roads. It’s no small feat.
After a 2.5-hour drive, I arrive in Sestriere, where there's already some activity. The parking lot is filled with cyclists preparing their bikes. I follow suit and head to the start in the slightly lower Sestriere Borgata.
The weather is fantastic, with not a cloud in sight—a well-deserved change after recent rides in rain and cold. We head off toward Sestriere, followed by an incredibly long descent. The pace is evident, as after just 1 hour and 5 minutes, we’ve already covered 50 kilometers. This is where the Colle delle Finestre begins. The peloton quickly splits on a 16% gradient, and I try not to push too hard at the start. My legs don’t feel great, so I aim to pace myself wisely. The numerous hairpins through the forest offer a welcome refreshment. In fact, this climb is well-suited for hot weather. Right after the valley, you dive into the forest, and by the time you emerge, you’re at such an altitude that the heat isn’t as intense.
On the gravel section, the true uniqueness of this climb becomes clear. It's not just the surface but also the breathtaking view of the road below. This view can also be admired from the summit, where you can catch your breath. Incidentally, this is also where the famous Strada dell'Assietta begins—another bucket-list ride for gravel enthusiasts, traversing old military roads.
I descend leisurely through a beautiful valley, eventually making my way back to the main valley. From here, there’s a gentle yet long climb back to Sestriere—the perfect excuse to opt for the medio fondo instead of the gran fondo. After all, you’re just 150 meters from the finish line. But I resist the temptation and continue with the descent. As is often the case in Italy, there aren’t many others who share this mindset. Only about 25% of the participants will end up riding the gran fondo. But the weather is still gorgeous, and since I didn’t push too hard on the Finestre, I’m still feeling pretty fresh.
After a quick descent, I face one final brisk climb. It’s the same road I drove on this morning—10 kilometers at a 7% gradient. By now, I’m familiar with it and know exactly how to pace myself. Together with one of the few other cyclists, I tackle the last uphill stretch at a solid pace. Fortunately, my legs feel much better than they did this morning. At the finish, I thank him for the enjoyable teamwork on the final climb. After a rest and a refreshing shower, I join the delicious pasta party, which, as usual in Italy, is top-notch.
Conclusion: A brilliant gran fondo—well-organized and with a fantastic course. Highly recommended. This year, we had discounted start tickets available through CycloWorld in our SHOP. If that’s the case again next year, you’d be crazy not to go.
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