Five classic days of riding, crossing the Apennines into the heart of Italy. Day one begins in Bari, the second most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy after Naples, renowned as a bustling seaport and university city.
Heading north west out of the city, passing small white stucco farmhouses, decorated with tomato vines hung out to dry, the route passes through the wide agricultural tracts of Puglia and Molise and hugs the Adriatic coastline for much of the way.
Then, it’s on to Abruzzo – big on landscapes – hot on hospitality; check out the Peperoncino (hot red pepper) a popular addition to many dishes. The ride from Ascoli Piceno in Marche to Foligno in Umbria traverses the spectacular peaks and valleys of the Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini and features the formidable Forca di Presta: the popularity of which as a paragliding destination is a fair indication of its challenge as an ascent!
Perugia is Umbria’s capital city, famous for its universities, chocolate, festivals and frescoes, all nestling amid undulating hills and valleys.
The final leg of the stage to Siena takes the riders south of Lake Trasimeno where the local fish is baked or braised and seasoned with fragrant herbs. Catching the first glimpse of the vineyards of Montepulciano will give a fitting welcome to the riders as they cross into Toscana.
The historic centre of medieval Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. As the bikes wheel victoriously into the Piazza del Campo, their heroic occupants can look forward to some wonderful trattorias and a glass or two of the Sangiovese grape’s finest produce.
Stage Key Features
- The Adriatic coastal route and beaches
- Trulli (traditional Apulian dry stone hut with a conical roof) in Southern Italy
- The climb of Force di Presta
- Monte Sibilini National Park
- Lake Trasimeno
- Vineyards of Montepulciano
- Historic centre of Siena
- Days of riding
- 5
- Total climbing
- 6,107m / 20,031ft
- Total distance
- 728km / 455mi
