In 2009 I rode La Marmotte, suffered like a dog in the heat, returned home feeling like I'd not performed to my potential, I was keen to return to finish in better shape. Fate dictated that of the riders that had been on the same trip, most did not fancy a European challenge in 2010 and one of our number suggested Maratona Dles Dolomites It was agreed that 4 of us would give it a go and so the planning commenced. Entering with Cycling Weekly avoiding the lottery draw
The Maratona was on Sunday 4th July 2010, flying to Venice with British Airways was an absolute breeze. On first sight of the Dolomites I was awestruck, they had me posing my own questions of Where, Why, How etc The Dolomites are very lush and have a sharp contrast where the lush greenery meets the pretruding sheer rocks that cap the mountains. Arriving at our accommoation between La Villa (start) and Alta Badia (signing on) it was stunning, I'd never been to Italy before but it appeared more like Austria with the wooden construction picture postcard dwellings.
A view from our balcony on arrival
We had a few days to acclimatize and so managed to ride a few of the event climbs. 1st impressions were that around every corner there was a beautiful view, the gradients appeared a percent or two lower than the Marmotte or was I getting used to these longer climbs. The Italians ensure they are turned out well, especially on their bikes, more importantly they love their coffee and apple struddle (when in Rome, do as the .......)
Yes signing on No 0001 to 15,000 Wow
Signing on, Friday evening was a bit of a scrum, I'd advise Saturday late afternoon as when I returned to exchange my race jersey the queues were only 4 or 5 people long. The rider pack is very generous, race jersey, sleeveless jersey, as well as all the usual freebies of the various sponsors (approx £90 worth)!! On the Saturday we attended the Cycling Weekly photo call and ride up the first climb Passo Campolongo, for coffee and struddle, of course. That was nice as the climb had many English speaking riders to chat too. The morning of the start we were in the start pen approx 0535hrs with the first riders off at 0630hrs.
Waiting at the start, the sun across the mountain tops but not yet shining onto the riders, there was a slight chill but nothing too serious. The drone of a helicopter drew closer until within minutes, there were 4 helicopters circling above the thousands of starters. It seemed unbelievable, was I in the right place ?? With the distractions, including a couple of irrate Italians gesticulating at each other, egged on by the jeering crowds, probably cos one of them had tried to gain a few millimetres advantage !! Time moves on quickly and we are off, over the time mat and the gradual climb to Corvara and the first climb of Campolongo. The lower hairpins are the steepest of this climb and can be done seated. Surrounded by other riders its hard to notice the climb, its an amazing experience being amongest so many, yet there is enough room to advance if you're feeling good. Helicopters swoop above, camera men hanging out of the aircraft to obtain the best pictures for the live Italian TV. I couldn't help the hairs on the back of my neck standing up, the scene and atmosphere made all the more dramatic with the noise contained by the surrouding mountains.
Looking back down the climb out of Corvara
A quick descent to Arabba, right turn and immediately starting the climb of Passo Pordoi, the snaking train of lycra clad riders can be seen into the distance, exaggerated by the multiple hairpins, infact so many you could feel dizzy. This second climb is almost twice as long as the first and over a percent steeper. Pacing oneself is essential, I didn't get tempted to tag onto a faster moving group, with 7 categorised climbs, blowing up was not an option. Feeling warm as the sun was now present I descend without armwarmers, bit of a mistake, as the road dives down, its damp, so in the shade and temperatures nose dive. Again on reaching the bottom the route turns off and immediately you begin the climb of Passo Stella. I decline from stopping at the first feed at the base of the Stella, knowing another isn't far away on Passo Gardena. The Stella climb zig-zags up the mountain with a close to 8% average gradient. The views just stunning but still the legs ache at being seated climbing for so long, I ease the aching by short stints out of the saddle. At the top, the previous nights thunder storm had washed debris all over the road, in fact I've got a few garden borders with less soil
A swift descent, again immediately followed by another climb, I pass a posse noticing the star that has the escort is Mario Cipollini, I quickly pinch myself, no no I'm hallucinating. About a third of the way up the Passo Gardena a feed stop. I grab a few pieces of jam tart, a cup of coke and away. There is a flatter section before the road kicks up several hairpins to crest Gardena. The descent to Corvara is a beauty, hairpins left and right, long straights, it has it all. Riding through the finish area is deafening, crowds appreciating the efforts of the riders, before we again start the climb of Passo Campolongo. On this ascent the cows have awoke and with each movement activate their cowbells, all adding to the atmosphere. At the top a quick pause at the feed station, fill the bottles, a coke and away. Bizzarrely I again go past the superstar that is Mario Cipollini, hard to miss this time due to the screaming shouts of 'Hey Mario' respect as he is a big unit to get over these climbs.
If riders chose the Maratona Medio this is the beautiful Falzerago climb
In Arabba this time we turn left and the descent continues, I look round and I've 20+ on my wheel, another minute and I peel over and allow the next in line through. The speed is high, we negotiate a chicane through a village and the noise erupts as locals cheer us on our way. On reaching Andraz I opt for the long route and the Passo Giau, before the Giau we have to climb the unclassified Colle Santa Lucia, a tough shock to the legs. Another feed and down to the base of the Giau, this is the toughest climb of the event and a constant 9.5%. I set off steady but realise I didn't have much control of my speed it was a measured all out effort. The combination of the 5 previous Passo's are beginning to show in my legs and the heat is adding to my fatigue. Each bend reveals another pitch of the same gradient, no sign through the trees of where our target is, I struggle to drink on the gradient and decide a quick pit stop in the shade to get some essential fluid inside. I pull over and immediately the change of movement invites a leg cramp, I curse and mutter then drink as much as possible. Setting off must have been a funny watch but I'm intent on my goal, the top ! I make no excuses, I'm no mountain goat but this is a tough climb, I keep sipping at my drink dare not stopping but then a living nightmare, both bottles are dry, I see a group of riders surrounding a mountain stream but push on in the hope there will be another, less busy, soon.
I reach another natural water supply and dismount with a scream as cramp returns. I almost drink the mountain spring dry, then helplessly point at my water bottle top that I've dropped unable to bend over to pickup. It is retrieved by a disgusted head shaking Italian. Who rolls up at this point but a topless Cipolini, he grabs a drink and accelerates away, will I be able to get back to him for a final sprint finish?? The water works quick and I set off for the summit, eventually seeing the count down Km signs to the top, another indicator is the 29 hairpins but that is a little soul destroying near the bottom, especially when some bends are not counted and if someone would have been there I was prepared to stop and argue their case !! On reaching the top and feedstop I replenish everything, drink coke, generally pig out.
On reaching the top of the Falzerago you see the Valporola cut into the hillside
The descent is a test, double hairpin followed by double hairpin, neck, shoulders, arms and fingers all ache but with one climb to conqueur the mind is focused. The climb of Passo Falzarego is over 11km long, tough in places but with a few longer stretches at a low gradient, at the top another feed before cresting Passo Valparola just 1.5km above the Falzarego. The long very fast descent to La Villa is the most enjoyable with the smell of the finish line in your nostriles. Approaching the finish, no sign of Cipolini he obviously didn't blow but I'd ridden so close to a cycling superstar. Finishing was a noisy affair, I'd had a great outing on my bike, perhaps not the fastest but riding on closed roads with so many others, helicopters hovering above, through spectacular scenary makes for a fantastic experience
Final descent to the furthest point you can see
Comparing with La Marmotte, the hills are shorter and the Giau aside a little less steep but the Maratona has no flat to speak of, you are going either up or down, Maratona has closed roads (something I didn't expect). The landscape in the Dolomites is simply breath-taking, with the hillsides being so lush I guess they have plenty of rain but we didn't experience any ! La Marmotte finishing on Alp D'huez makes it magical with its hairpins but the Italians have obviously bought a bulk order of hairpins, each climb littered with the buggers especially, Passo Pordoi and Giau. I for one, health permitting will return to do both at some point but if riders want a different challenge the Maratona Dles Dolomites may be for you.
Ironically on the return drive to the airport when on top of Passo Falzerago, what trots across in front of us ? Only a Marmotte !!
Thanks to my travel companions, Phil and Stu finishing in the top 250 riders and Nick just 20min behind them. A special thanks to Ian Stuart who co-ordinated on behalf Cycling Weekly
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