Course

15th Marcialonga Craft - 28.05.2023

THE TRACK

The race starts in Predazzo and goes towards Moena until the village of Sen Jan where it starts the first uphill. Before turning and starting to climb, let yourself surprised by the view: green fileds and the gray rock of the Catinaccio on the right and the Sassolungo Dolomites in front of you.
The first 4 kilometers up to Costalunga are the most challenging, but still rideable, then the climb becomes less difficult, almost flattening out towards the mountain pass. Passo Costalunga is located on the border between Trentino and Alto Adige, along the Dolomites of Latemar and Catinaccio.
Once having reached the top of Passo Costalunga, the descent begins, passing by the famous Lake Carezza. Thereafter the route crosses the village of Nova Ponente and descends to Ponte Nova, where the second ascent of the day begins.
Pampeago Pass is the longest and most difficult climb. Immediately the gradient becomes steep with only a few short stretches that allow little respites. Once in Obereggen, the road climbs steeply for about 2 km, and then the climb softens up to the pass. The road starting from Obereggen until the pass as well as the road that descends to Alpe di Pampeago are closed to the traffic.
The track runs downhill, tacking the way back to Predazzo where you can go for the arrival of the mediofondo course or choose the granfondo course.
In the second case, about 10km lead to Moena and to the start of San Pellegrino Pass. The uphill is immediately demanding but flattens out after a few bends. As the forest becomes thicker the gradient steepens, until the view opens, and the road flattens out again. A long final straight stretch takes the race competitors to the Pass.
The San Pellegrino Pass is one of the favourite training streets for professionals and the scene of epic cycling challenges during Giro d’Italia.
The descent towards Falcade is easy and fast in the initial section; after crossing the border with Veneto it becomes challenging with a series of road bends that reach 18% in some stretches. After 5.5 km you reach the junction that leads up to Passo Valles.
The ascent to Passo Valles presents high and constant gradients, with an average gradient close to 9% and peaks of 16%. Towards the pass the climb finally becomes less demanding, and the feeding station offers the opportunity to catch the breath and recover the last of the energy needed to tackle the fast and technical descent towards Predazzo.