Gran Fondo Nove Colli is Italy's most popular Gran Fondo. Starting from the beautiful seaside town of Cesenatico, the route heads into the hills that mark the Marche / Emilia Romagna border. The hills come thick and fast and although the highest point - Monte Pugliano - at 791m is no alp, the constant undulations are sure to take their toll by the finish. There's also a shorter option of 130km for those looking or something slightly less taxing. Both routes take place on completely closed roads and you'll love the many well-stocked feed stations to keep you fuelled throughout the event. With a peloton of 12,000 riders, the flat sections fly by leaving you just the nine climbs to think about. Cesenatico has traditionally been a fishing village which grew in statue. It was largely destroyed during the second world war, with the town needing to be rebuilt after liberation from the New Zealand troops in 1944. The reconstruction largely concentrated on attracting tourism and started the development into the town you see today. With bronzed beach goers filling the beach volleyball courts or lining the beach loungers, you’ll surely be tempted to join them in relaxing underneath the parasols. Cesenatico's most famous cycling son is undoubtedly the fateful climber Marco Pantani. Having started cycling with the club that organisers the Nove Colli, GC Fausto Coppi, Pantani didn't take long to show his talent for climbing. Having won many races as a young amateur, including the amateur Giro d'Italia, he turned pro for Carrera in 1993 and soon started to win big races. He managed to come back in 2000 to win 2 stages of the Tour de France, one of them against Lance Armstrong on Mont Ventoux, but ultimately he was never the same rider after 1999.
Arrival Day
D1
Warm-up Ride and expo
D3
Race Day - Gran Fondo Nove Colli
Departure Day
Hotel