Another medieval city, Lucca, the birthplace of Puccini. It is 25 kilometres inland from the Mediterranean coastline and the starting point for Stage 3. The distant skyline ahead of the riders on their northbound odyssey will become increasingly dominated by the Appenini peaks as the city’s Duomo di San Martino recedes behind them.
At the start of their descent from the high mountain pass, the riders will roll down into the farmlands and lush vineyards of Emilia Romagna. Then it’s on to Mantova in Lombardy, the town to which Romeo was banished in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Montova is surrounded on three sides by Lago Superiore, Lago di Mezzo, and Lago Inferiore - artificial lakes created during the 12th century. Lombardy is also the region that gave us mascarpone, gorgonzola, grana lodigiano and bel paese.
As something of a grand finale to the Stage, the route then passes along the magnificent eastern shores of Lake Garda in the Veneto before another climb; this time, the Italian Alps and deep into the region of Trentino-Alto-Adige, passing down through the Passo del Tonale to our final destination, the ski resort in Aprica.
In all, a rich blend of breathtaking scenery and fabulous culture – unmissable.
Stage Key Features
- Historic City of Lucca
- The Appennini Mountain range
- Lake Garda
- The Passo Tonale
- Ski resort finale in Aprica
- Days of riding
- 5
- Total climbing
- 6,576m / 21,569ft
- Total distance
- 562km / 352mi
