Passo di Mortirolo
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The climbs of Italy are among the toughest and most beautiful in the world. pic: ©Cyclefilm
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The iconic Passo dello Stelvio is likely to feature on the 'must ride' list of any cyclist. pic: ©Media24
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The Passo di Gavia is inextricably linked in the minds of most cycling fans with Andy Hamptsen's heroic ride in the 1988 Giro d'Italia. pic: ©Mike Cotty
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A monument to the late Marco Pantani, the troubled but brilliant Italian climber, has been erected on a section of the Passo di Mortirolo eight kilometres from the town of Mazzo di Valtellina. pic: ©Mike Cotty
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The Passo Giau is set in a landscape that can accurately be described as stunning. pic: ©Sirotti
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The Zoncolan demands a 34 x 27 gear ratio
Passo di Mortirolo
Any climb that’s described by Lance Armstrong as being, “perfect for a mountain bike. On the hardest parts I was riding 39×27 and I was hurting, really hurting. Mortirolo is the hardest climb I’ve ever ridden” is an ascent that absolutely has to be tackled. A monument to the late Marco Pantani, the troubled but brilliant Italian climber, has been erected on the eighth kilometre from Mazzo di Valtellina.
This brutal ascent last appeared in the 2012 Giro d’Italia, where it served as a brutal hors d’ouevre to the soaring Stelvio. On that occasion, Thomas de Gendt broke clear and rode at the front of both climbs. While the Belgian remains a force, he has never replicated his stunning performance that day. The Mortorilo, perhaps, claimed something from him.
Although there are three different ways up the Passo del Mortirolo, it’s the ascent from Mazzo di Valtellina that’s made it feared and famous in equal measure. It may only top out at a relatively low 1,852m when compared to the Stelvio and Gavio but it’s the viciously steep pitches, up to 18%, and average gradient of 10.5% that’ll have you on the ropes. The Mortirolo has been used in the Giro 10 times and features a memorial to the great Italian climber Marco Pantani 8km into the ascent.
From Mazzo di Valtellina
Length: 12.5km
Average gradient: 10.5 per cent
Max gradient: 18 per cent
Start elevation: 552m
End elevation: 1,852m
Elevation gain: 1,300m