Stage 2: Sillian – Falcade
Wow! What an epic queen stage! After 2012, we are delighted to welcome Falcade back into the circle of stage locations. And because we don't have to go directly from Sillian to San Martino as we did last time, we have the opportunity to include two passes that have never been part of the TOUR Transalp before: the Passo Staulanza and the Passo Duran. Without exaggeration, both are among the most beautiful passes you can ride in the Dolomites. Here's also a fun fact: on 29 May, just four weeks before the Transalp, the 19th stage of the Giro d'Italia will lead from Agordo via Passo Duran, Passo Staulanza and Passo Giau to just before Cortina, following exactly the same route as ours, but in the opposite direction. It doesn't get any better than this! If you didn't have to hold on tight to the handlebars, you'd want to keep your mobile phone in your hand the whole time on this stage. This is perhaps the stage with the greatest ‘Instagramability’ – at least for those who like to pose in front of famous peaks. The celebrities of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, line the route: Three Peaks, Monte Cristallo, Hohe Gaisl, Antelao, Tofana, Civetta, Monte Pelmo, and finally the peaks of the Dolomiti Bellunesi. If you only had one day to introduce a mountain novice to the magic of the Dolomites, this would be the perfect sightseeing tour.
The Passo Giau dominates this stage in terms of athleticism. The pass road leads somewhat remotely through the rock towers of the Cinque Torri from Cortina up to the highest point of the stage. Insiders even consider the ‘Giau’ to be the most beautiful of all the Dolomite passes, perhaps because it is less crowded than other passes in this mountain range, which is very popular with holidaymakers. After a racy descent to Selva di Cadore, the climb to Passo Staulanza follows, which, with a pleasant 450 metres of elevation gain, is almost a gift in TOUR Transalp categories. The well-maintained road winds its way between Civetta and Monte Pelmo, which towers majestically above the road and cannot be approached any closer on a road bike than here. Simply wonderful! The descent into Val di Zoldo is rapid again, the road is wide, the bends are sweeping – riding pleasure guaranteed. In the small village of Dont, the road finally branches off to Passo Duran, which now winds its way up much more narrowly behind the Civetta massif. A 650-metre climb is not very much for an Alpine pass, but be careful! This climb is steeper than the last and, with 2,000 metres of climb in your legs, this climbing ramp deserves respect. Also the descent to Agordo on a narrow, very winding road deserves this respect.
Once you reach Agordo, there are still 600 metres of climbing to go, quite comfortably spread out over 18 kilometres, to notch this formidable stage into your top tube. Or simply remember this – from every angle – epic ride.
